An EI Report is the documentation required by the CRA from anyone applying to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in Canada. Beneficiaries are required to complete an EI report every 2 weeks to show proof of eligibility and to continue receiving benefits.
This in-depth article covers what you need to know about EI and EI Reports in Canada.
It can be quite a hassle trying to stay financially stable while being unemployed. To support people in this category, Canada’s federal government offers a unique program to assist qualified unemployed Canadians.
The Employment insurance benefit, popularly known a the EI, is a temporary financial aid to unemployed citizens who meet the requirement to receive this support. Over half a million people in Canada receive these funds monthly to aid their living conditions.
Employment Insurance (EI) Overview
Employment insurance provides temporary income when you lose a job.
The funds in this program are accessible from 14 weeks up to about 45 weeks, depending on your province’s employment rate and the number of insurable hours you’ve accrued in the last year.
Bear in mind that all payments under EI are considered taxable income. These taxes are deductible on both federal and provincial levels.
Employment Insurance Eligibility
Bear in mind that EI is not guaranteed right after you lose your job. You may be eligible for EI benefits if:
- Your previous employment was insurable.
- You’ve worked the required number of hours.
- You lost your job via termination without cause or if you resign with specific acceptable reasons like provable harassment, toxic work environment, etc.
- You have proof of daily continuous job search.
Employment Insurance Ineligibility
You may not qualify for EI benefits if:
- You quit your job without a genuine reason.
- You were terminated for misconduct.
- You are unemployed due to involvement in labor disputes.
- You are in jail or a similar institution.
Funds Accessible in EI Benefits
There is an introductory rate for calculating EI benefits due for each individual. Generally, the fund can amount to about 55% of your average insurable weekly revenue. The highest you’d receive for a week is about CA$40.
Applying for EI Benefits in Canada
To check your eligibility status, you must send an application to Service Canada online. The application process takes about an hour to complete. To complete the form, you need the following information:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Name of employer(s)
- Office Address(es)
- Dates of employment
- Reason for unemployment over the last 52 weeks
It is advisable to apply as soon as you stop working. You can even register for an EI benefit before getting your Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer. Any delay of more than for weeks after your last day of work could affect the benefits you’ll receive.
When applying, sign up for a direct deposit. This will ensure your payments are swift and are automatically deposited into your bank account two business days after being processed. Once your application is accepted, you have ongoing responsibilities to fulfill. For example, you must not relent in your job search.
You must actively search for jobs and accept offers of suitable employment. Note that you might have to produce a detailed record of proof of your job searches. It is advisable to hold on to those notes for at least six years.
In some cases, you might be able to work while receiving EI regular benefits. You must report your earnings and how many hours per week you work in a case like this. Note that other restrictions may apply.
How EI Report Works in Canada
The Employment Insurance (EI) report is a Canadian program that gives temporary financial help to unemployed people searching for employment or learning a new skill. The EI program also offers unique benefits to workers who need time off work for special reasons such as:
- Illness
- Pregnancy
- Caring for a newborn or recently adopted kid
- A critically sick or dislocated person
- A loved one who is seriously sick with a significant risk of death
Workers receive EI benefits given that they have paid premiums within the past year and meet qualifying and claim conditions. Some freelance workers may be eligible to participate in EI and receive special benefits.
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) plays a significant role in overseeing the EI program. The CEIC is also accountable for setting the annual EI premium rate. Service Canada’s role is:
- To provide timely and correct EI profit payments and services
- Provide profit information
- Respond to inquiries
- Assist employers
- Process claims and providing the appeal to charm choices.
- Conduct consumer authentication and identification.
- Preventing and carrying out investigative work to deter fraud and abuse
EI Reporting Login
Once your application is approved, you are required to complete and submit EI reports to ESDC to continue to prove your eligibility and keep receiving benefits. While your EI claim is still running, you must submit reports bi-weekly.
You can send these reports online via the EI Internet Reporting Service or by phone through the EI Telephone Reporting Service. Regardless of the method, you used in filing your EI report, you will require an Access Code, and your Social Insurance Number to complete the process.
Once you send in your application, you will receive an EI benefit statement via mail. This statement will provide you with the Access Code and inform you of your first EI report submission date.
When submitting your report, you must indicate the following:
- Whether or not you were out of Canada during the period of the report
- If you worked or received earnings, including self-employment earnings
- Commenced a full-time job
- Attended any training or school
- If you were fit to work every day If you plan to receive or has received funds other than that already reported
The factors above will determine the amount and duration you will receive EI benefits.
EI Report FAQs
How do I Sign-in in to My Service Canada Account?
There are currently three ways you can use to sign in to your My Service Canada account. They are:
- By using your GCKey
This allows you to sign in to your different government services portal.
- Using your Provincial digital ID
Provincial digital ID is another method that allows you to sign in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA). This sign-in option is only available for British Columbia and Alberta residents.
- Online Banking
You access your MCSA through your online banking platform.
How do I get my EI report?
You can access your EI report after you’ve filled an EI application. To access your EI report, visit your My Service Canada Account.
Alternatively, you can dial EI reporting phone number 1-800-531-7555 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742) and select option “1.” Ensure you have your SIN and your access code readily available before you call.
Is El Paid Weekly?
No. Employment Insurance is paid Bi-weekly. This means that it is paid once in two weeks. You will be required to complete bi-weekly reports to prove your eligibility and receive the benefits to which you will be entitled. Failure to do this will mean a loss of benefits.
Before you start receiving EI benefits, there may be a week that you may not be paid; usually known as the waiting period. If you’re not entitled to receive EI benefits, you will be contacted via phone call or letter and explained why. You can file for a reconsideration if you disagree with them.
Once you submit your EI application, the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) will mail you an EI profit statement. This doesn’t mean that your application has been approved.
Your profit statement will give you the knowledge you need to complete your reports with their web reporting service or Phone reporting service.
How Long Will I Receive Employment Insurance?
You will receive all the weeks of benefits to which you were entitled throughout the approved timeframe. However, you will stop receiving your EI benefits if:
- You stop filing your bi-weekly report.
- You request a termination of your claim to file another one.
Your EI benefits could also stop when you get a job. It might end if you’ve got a full-time job or can be modified if you got a part-time or a contract job.
Does EI check your bank account?
In the EI forms, you’re required to report any cash received throughout the period that is not income. Failing to do this is fraud and may lead to loss of benefits, and you might be made to repay all the benefits received so far.
Do not try to cheat the system!
They can and will check your banking history if there are adequate reasons to do so. The CRA has access to all Canadian financial institutions.
Even your social media accounts are pretty much accessible to the CRA so if you’re posting pictures of luxuries you normally wouldn’t be able to afford while on EI, it might trigger an audit of your finances.
How do I know if my EI claims have been approved?
Suppose you’re entitled to receive EI regular benefits. In that case, you will receive your first payment within twenty-eight days of the date the CEIC receives your application and every other necessary document.
If you don’t receive your first payment after 28 days, this could mean that your claim wasn’t approved. The Canadian Employment Insurance Commission will contact you to explain why. However, you can rightly file for a reconsideration if you believe that you qualify for Employment Insurance benefits.
When should I submit my EI report?
Submit your report on or just after the maturity date, however not before. You need to complete your reports no later than three weeks after every maturity, or your EI claim will be affected.
If you’ve got access to the net, we advise using the Internet Service, which is simple, fast, convenient and secure. However, If you do not have access to the net, you’ll be able to use the phone coverage Service by calling the business line on 1-800-531-7555.
Each choice is accessible anywhere in Canada and can be accessed twenty-four hours daily, seven days per week.
How do I access My Service Canada Account?
The My Service Canada Account (MSCA) is a secure portal that allows you to apply, view, and update your data for the Employment Insurance (EI).
Who Qualifies for EI after CERB?
If you would love to receive Employment Insurance after you’ve finished receiving your Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), there are chances you qualify if:
- You received the CERB through Service Canada after you receive your last CERB payment.
- Your SIN starts with a 9
- You’re self-employed
- You declared that you just came back to figure and work on your CERB report.
Suppose you would prefer illness benefits rather than regular benefits. In that case, you can declare on your reports that you’re unable to work for medical reasons, and you’ll receive up to fifteen weeks of illness benefits.
If you received the CERB through the Canada Revenue Agency, you need to receive all of your CERB payments before applying for EI advantages. You’ll be able to apply after the end of your last CERB eligibility amount.
How do I correct my EI report?
Mistakes are an everyday part of our lives. So, if you’ve made a mistake while filling out your EI report, contact the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) quickly via their EI phone number service at 1 800 206-7218 or visit the Service Canada Centre nearest to you.
How Many Hours Can you Work on EI?
You can work and still get EI; however, half the money you earn is set out to your EI benefits. This is applicable as long as you don’t make more than the average insured earnings on your benefits were approved. Any cash you make higher than that will be taken off your benefits.
The rules regarding this have been modified over time. The recent ruling on this is that if you earn up to CA$75 weekly or four-hundredth of your weekly profit, any earnings higher than that will be subtracted from your benefit payment.
If the money you earn while on EI is little, you must notify Service Canada to examine if the current rules may be higher for you. If you opt to use the current rules, you can’t switch back to the new regulations anymore.
If your earnings are identical to or more than your average insured earnings, your EI profit for that week is zero. This means that your EI profit will never make your total income any week above your average insured earnings. “Average insured earnings” is the money EI considers you were earning before you lost your job.
Once you work a whole work week, you’ll not get any benefits for that week, regardless of however very little you earn.
Is Employment Insurance (EI) Considered as Income?
Yes. Regardless of the kind of benefit you receive, EI payments are subject to tax. This includes federal and provincial taxes, wherever applicable, which are subtracted after you receive them.
When you file your tax return, you would need to repay some of the EI claims you received depending on your income and paid regular benefits depending on your income and paid regular benefits.
If your 2021 financial gain from all sources exceeds CA$70,375, you need to repay half-hour of the lesser of your income in over CA$70,375; or the full regular benefits paid within the taxation year. Nonetheless, you don’t have to repay your EI benefits if:
- Your 2021 income is a smaller amount than $70,375
- You received only one week of benefits within the preceding ten taxation years.
- You were paid special benefits, like maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, or family caregiver advantages. However, if you received a mix of regular and special benefits inside the same tax year, you will still need to repay a proportion of the standard amount received.
If you received EI regular benefits that overlap a pair of calendar years, you would qualify for the exemption within the first taxation year. However, within the following taxation year, you’d not be eligible for the exemption as there would be one week of regular benefit paid within the preceding ten years.
Do I Claim CERB on my EI report?
No. If you’re already receiving Employment Insurance regular benefits, you’ll still receive these benefits till the end of your benefit amount.
You cannot be paid Employment Insurance benefits and also Canada Emergency Response Benefits (CERB) at the same time.
However, you can file your CERB reporting by dialing 1-800-531-7555 or visiting the Internet Reporting Service.
Can I do my EI report online?
To fill your EI report online, follow the instructions:
- Dial 1-800-531-7555
- Enter your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and access code
- Select option 1 to record your EI report
- Adhere to the guidelines to finish your report.
- You’ll be required to affirm your response to each address you provide
- Hang up when you hear: “You have effectively input your report.”
You’ll be notified when to enter your next report. Imprint this date on your schedule. Follow these means to finish your report via the internet:
While you’re receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, you need to complete EI reports to indicate that you are eligible. To make it easier to envision when your next report is due, register for My Service Canada Account (MSCA).
Once you’re registered for EI, log in and choose “Employment Insurance (EI),” then click “Latest claim” or “Payment information.” Before you start filing your report, if you disconnect or exit the report before finishing it, your info won’t be saved, and you may have to begin over again.
If your report is missing any information, it will not be processed. Confirm that you have all of your details ready to enter before you start your report. If you stay on a page for ten minutes, your session will be disconnected.
Do not leave your laptop unattended while logged in to your online report. When you have finished your report, end your session by clicking on ‘sign off’.
Each time you access the web, your browser mechanically saves a duplicate of the online pages you have visited. Confirm you clear your browser’s cache once every session to shield your account info.
If you receive an “error 404” message once you attempt to log in to the internet reporting Service, there might be issues with your browser; try the following solutions:
- Clear your browser’s cache.
- Delete the cookies from your browser, or
- Use another browser
If you’re using internet explorer, please confirm that compatibility mode isn’t turned on. To know if it is turned on, go to the Login Page and follow these steps:
- Click on the Tools menu and search for Compatibility Mode.
- If there’s no tick next to Compatibility Mode, it’s turned off, and internet explorer should work.
- If there’s a tick next to Compatibility Mode, click on Compatibility Mode to switch off the tick and switch off Compatibility mode.
Accessing the internet reporting Service
Once you’ve sent in your application, you’ll be mailed your EI profit statement. The statement includes your access code, a 4-digit number written on the shaded space at the top side of the profit statement.
You would need the access code and your social insurance number (SIN) to submit reports and to include information regarding your claim.
It’ll be considered that you have signed your report online if you provide and submit your SIN and access code. If more details are needed to verify your claims, you may receive a message asking you to message them during business hours.
