Can I get EI if my employer fired me for doing something wrong?
Employment Insurance (EI) rules have changed because of COVID-19. As of August 9, 2020, you require only 120 hours of insurable work to qualify for Special Benefits. And as of September 27, 2020, you require only 120 hours of insurable work to qualify for Regular Benefits the first time you apply.
There is also a new minimum EI payment of $500 per week starting on September 27, 2020. This applies to both Regular Benefits and Special Benefits.
These changes are expected to last for one year. They’re part of the system that the government has created to replace the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which ends October 3, 2020. Read more in The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is ending. Will I be able to get Employment Insurance (EI)?
You can’t get Employment Insurance (EI) if you were fired for . Misconduct means that you did something on purpose that is against your job duties. It is not misconduct if you accidentally do something that is against your job duties.
Examples of things that could be misconduct include:
- threatening someone or any other violent behaviour
- destroying property on purpose
- being late or away from work without permission
- disobeying an order from your boss
The misconduct must be the real reason you were fired. For example, your employer cannot use something that happened a long time ago as an excuse to lay you off several months later when there is not enough work.
Even if you are not sure that you will qualify for EI benefits, it is still a good idea to apply. You might still be able to get benefits even if your boss says that you were fired for doing something wrong. You can write a letter explaining your side of the story and send it in with your EI application. Service Canada staff will decide if you were fired for misconduct or not.
