4. Apply for EI benefits

Even if you are not sure that you will qualify for EI benefits, it is still a good idea to apply.

Be sure to apply as soon as you have at least 7 days without work or pay. If you apply more than 4 weeks after you have an interruption of earnings, it may be harder to get approved for EI. If you are approved, you might get less money. This is because there will be a large period of time where you have no hours worked and no money earned.

If you can show there was a good reason why you could not apply within 4 weeks, Service Canada might accept your application as though it was filed right away. This is called an “antedate”. To have good cause for the delay, you must show that you did what a reasonable person would have done to figure out the rules and apply on time.

Apply to Service Canada

To apply for EI benefits you must fill out an application online. If you do not have internet access at home, you can apply at a Service Canada Office using one of their internet kiosks or at a public internet access site like a library.

Before you go to the Service Canada Office in your area, you should call to find out if you need to make an appointment.

If you do not speak English or French, bring someone who can translate for you.

If you quit your job, you will have to provide some additional information and details including:

• why you quit
• what you did to try to fix the problem at work before you left
• if you tried to get other work before you quit

Service Canada staff might interview you by phone or in person. They may also contact your employer. They will then decide if you quit with just cause.

If they decide that you quit without just cause, they will send you a letter that says you are “disqualified” from receiving regular EI benefits. But you might still be eligible for other special benefits like:

• Sickness benefits if you are unable to work because of illness, injury, or quarantine.
• Maternity benefits if you are pregnant or have recently given birth.
• Parental benefits if you are a parent and are caring for a newborn child or a child you recently adopted.
• Compassionate care benefits if you need time off work to provide care or support to a family member who could die in the next six months.
• The Family Caregiver Benefit for Children if you need time off work to provide care or support to your critically ill child.

If you are denied EI, you might be able to appeal that decision. To appeal means to ask for a different decision. To appeal, you must send a request in writing within 30 days.