1-hand in ROE
2-apply online

3-wait
4-wait
5-wait
6-uhhh....wait a bit longer
7-repeat steps 3-6

8-recieve cheque(s)

9-file report online
10-recieve cheque or direct deposit

11-repeat 9 & 10 while you look for work


Getting your paperwork processed is the hardest/frustrating part. After that it's quite easy.

I was laid off for a few months over x-mas. I was getting paid the max of $804 bi-weekly.

Max is $860

damn, what jobs were you ppl laid off from?

he was the $14 dolla ballah untill the recession hit... :D

yup. it is 435 a week max.

From service canada website.

How we calculate the amount you will receive

If you are not living in one of the participating economic regions, the amount of your weekly benefit payment depends on your total earnings before deductions including tips and commissions, in the last 26 weeks, and is calculated in the following manner:

We look at the total earnings you have been paid in the last 26 weeks ending with your last day of work.

We take into consideration the number of weeks in which you have worked in the last 26 weeks.

We determine the unemployment rate in your region and the minimum divisor that applies at that unemployment rate.

We determine your average weekly insured earnings by dividing your total earnings in the last 26 weeks by the greater of:

a) the number of weeks you have worked in the last 26 weeks; or
b) the minimum divisor number.
Important: The divisor cannot be less than 14 or greater than 26.

We then multiply the result by 55% to obtain your weekly benefit. (See examples A, B and C).


the # of hours you worked is to see if you qualify to receive EI, the amount you earned in the last 26 weeks (above) is to determine how much you get per week.

you can essentially calculate how much you're getting by following the instructions of the FAQ page of the servicecanada site, or roughly at least.

best bet is to let them know. say it is for the weekend. if you don't tell them and they find out, you will get blacklisted.

I don't get where they come up with $435 - $5 for federal tax. LOL :confused:

^ i've never actually seen a cheque stub, so i'm not sure about the tax.

but, fyi, the max is now $447 per week. it got increased!

I called Services Canada, the max is now $447 per week. $45 will be taken off for taxes so you'll get $402.

do you know if you can get EI or not if you take a contract job?

^ explain?
do you mean you're already on EI and want to take a contract job? and whether or not you'll still qualify? if that is the question, then it depends on the $$ amount u are making in your contract job. there is a max allowable you can make per week and still be able to get EI, so that means you may still be able to get EI for those weeks. report your earnings when you file your reports. hard to tell you yes or no without any figures.

unless you paid into EI (and CPP), I dont think you will quality for EI if you are on a contract job.

One other question, do you know if Service Canada will cover tuition courses if you are upgrading for school during the period that you're in EI?

ok, my job deals directly with EI, i can't tell much but hope this helps, (i don't deal with the calculation unit so i may be off here and there)

- if u lose your job not due to your fault, then you meet the 1st requirement of EI,

- with in the last 52 weeks, you need to work certain hours, i think 960 hrs, if u didn't work 960, there are other ways to help make you qualify, but i don't know details of other ways,

- u lose your job, you dont need to wait 2 weeks to apply, you can apply after a few days, just there is a 2 weeks waiting period before you will get your money, so even if your application is approved right away, which won't happen, u still need to wait for 2 weeks.

- max benefit rate is about 447 BEFORE tax, so you don't get 447 biweekly,

- while on EI, yes you can work, but you HAVE TO report the hours worked and salaries earned, you do that when u file your report every 2 weeks, make sure you at least estimate the amounts earned as close as possible.

- while on EI, if you need to go out of your hometown area or the country, regardless wkd on week days, REPORT to them. make sure you do it as well. some conditions applied, i can't tell you what they are.

- while on EI, if u want go to go school, it has to be approved by the commission, if they approve it, u can still go to school and collect money, if it is not approved, then you can be disentitled for $$$ while u r on school, some special conditions applied. i can't tell you what they are.

- also, if u wait too long before you apply, for example (and for example only), u wait for 3 months for whatever reason, then they don't have to pay you back those 3 months, it is up to them. some special condition applied, again, i can't tell you.


i really cant tell what i do with EI, but trust me, i know how it works =)

$447 weekly, correct? Because I was getting cheques for $864 earlier this year (but it might have gone up slightly since).

yes per week and u get paid every 2 weeks.

how do you know if your employer sent the ROE electronicly for you or not?... I guess I can check online once my 4 digit code thing comes in the mail?

that part i don't know, it is your responsibility to make sure the commission has all the info, u can always play safe and phone the commission to check, or once u have your copy, make a photocopy and fax or mail or drop it off at the office.