Employment Insurance MEGA THREAD

[ExtraSlow]

So, I have been attempting to answer my question about starting a business while receiving EI.

I should warn that this appears to be a very individualized process, and that my situation may be different than yours. I can only tell how it is working for me.

1) I attempted to get my answers in person from the Service Canada staff at the Harry hays building downtown. they told me to use the 1-800 number and do the 0-1-0-1-0-1-0 . . . trick until I was placed in the queue. The Gentleman there was very friendly, but unable to be helpful.

2) I called the 1-800 number and did that trick for about ten solid minutes before being put into the queue. The announcement told me it would be approx 45 minutes to wait. It was actually less, around 30 minutes.

3) First agent was happy to answer my questions on a hypothetical basis without any identification, however, it soon became apparent that this wasn't going to get me the answers I needed. So we went through some identity verification, and he assisted me in verbally filling out a form declaring myself to be self employed. If you google "Self employment form" you may be able to find it. The agent was quite helpful with the answers as well. I had several questions for him on some of them, maybe I'm slow? Keep in mind, he's not able to technically advise you on how to strategically fill out that form, but he can give examples or respond to examples. He did need to place me on hold a couple of times, which slowed everything down. Anyway, he was helpful, which was nice.

4) he needed to transfer me to a second agent, to make a determination. I guess that agent is a specialist in self employment issues? That agent had a small number of additional questions, and then placed me on hold while she worked.

5) the second agent said my specific situation was "outside her authority" and had to transfer me to a third agent. That agent verified some of the previous information and told me that they would be able to make a determination on my case immediately. I was then placed on hold for another 15 minutes.

6) the third agent determined that in my case, my self employment is "minor in extent" and thus, I DO qualify to continue receiving EI while being self employed. I am required to report any earnings and hours worked on my regular reports.

7) the same third agent took my current report over the phone so that I would not have to do it online for this reporting period. Honestly, I think I'd prefer to do it online, but she seemed to think that was the best plan.

8) all done. Total time on the phone call was One hours and Fifty One Minutes. Overall, I was impressed with the helpfullness of the people I spoke to, but I'm not that impressed with the process. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but clearly something is pretty messed up with the system.

Anyway, my advice for anyone who might be in a self employment situation is to take the time to get in touch with the people on the phone. DON'T just click the box on the weekly reports and hope for the best.


I guess if anyone has any questions about this, I can try to answer them, although I am no kind of expert, and I wasn't able to find any other useful informational resources online.


Happy Tuesday and

[RealJimmyJames]

Originally posted by C_Dave45
The second they consider you "self employed" your benefits will stop. Doesn't matter if you're making any money, or even getting paid at all. Self-employed=no benefits.

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
So, I have been attempting to answer my question about starting a business while receiving EI.

I should warn that this appears to be a very individualized process, and that my situation may be different than yours. I can only tell how it is working for me.

1) I attempted to get my answers in person from the Service Canada staff at the Harry hays building downtown. they told me to use the 1-800 number and do the 0-1-0-1-0-1-0 . . . trick until I was placed in the queue. The Gentleman there was very friendly, but unable to be helpful.

2) I called the 1-800 number and did that trick for about ten solid minutes before being put into the queue. The announcement told me it would be approx 45 minutes to wait. It was actually less, around 30 minutes.

3) First agent was happy to answer my questions on a hypothetical basis without any identification, however, it soon became apparent that this wasn't going to get me the answers I needed. So we went through some identity verification, and he assisted me in verbally filling out a form declaring myself to be self employed. If you google "Self employment form" you may be able to find it. The agent was quite helpful with the answers as well. I had several questions for him on some of them, maybe I'm slow? Keep in mind, he's not able to technically advise you on how to strategically fill out that form, but he can give examples or respond to examples. He did need to place me on hold a couple of times, which slowed everything down. Anyway, he was helpful, which was nice.

4) he needed to transfer me to a second agent, to make a determination. I guess that agent is a specialist in self employment issues? That agent had a small number of additional questions, and then placed me on hold while she worked.

5) the second agent said my specific situation was "outside her authority" and had to transfer me to a third agent. That agent verified some of the previous information and told me that they would be able to make a determination on my case immediately. I was then placed on hold for another 15 minutes.

6) the third agent determined that in my case, my self employment is "minor in extent" and thus, I DO qualify to continue receiving EI while being self employed. I am required to report any earnings and hours worked on my regular reports.

7) the same third agent took my current report over the phone so that I would not have to do it online for this reporting period. Honestly, I think I'd prefer to do it online, but she seemed to think that was the best plan.

8) all done. Total time on the phone call was One hours and Fifty One Minutes. Overall, I was impressed with the helpfullness of the people I spoke to, but I'm not that impressed with the process. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but clearly something is pretty messed up with the system.

Anyway, my advice for anyone who might be in a self employment situation is to take the time to get in touch with the people on the phone. DON'T just click the box on the weekly reports and hope for the best.


I guess if anyone has any questions about this, I can try to answer them, although I am no kind of expert, and I wasn't able to find any other useful informational resources online.

I suspect that for most people who are currently receiving EI benefits, and who decide to start a business, their experience will look a lot more like the one described by C_Dave45 than ExtraSlow. I think it's pretty unusual for them to consider anything "minor in extent" regardless of the amount earned, even if that amount is zero.

One way to look at it is that Employment Insurance is available only if you are ready and available to start a full time job immediately and currently searching for full time work. If your unpaid work would interfere with that, you are not eligible.

[Boosted131]

Anyone having issues with their benefits? Mine says mine are no longer active, and they didn't start til March or April 2015

[colinxx235]

^

you only get around 36-39 weeks at maximum. it shows in your home center how many weeks/amount/end date etc. given you started march/april it would have ended right about meow

[Boosted131]

Really? My friend got 54 weeks before

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by Boosted131
Really? My friend got 54 weeks before

Only if she's prego or he/she is from PEI.

AB it's mostly 36 weeks because our unemployment rate isn't that bad.

Maximum is still set at 45, regardless how shitty your province's economy is.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow

6) the third agent determined that in my case, my self employment is "minor in extent" and thus, I DO qualify to continue receiving EI while being self employed. I am required to report any earnings and hours worked on my regular reports.

Originally posted by RealJimmyJames


I suspect that for most people who are currently receiving EI benefits, and who decide to start a business, their experience will look a lot more like the one described by C_Dave45 than ExtraSlow. I think it's pretty unusual for them to consider anything "minor in extent" regardless of the amount earned, even if that amount is zero.

x2

I'm curious to find out if the "powers that be" will continue to consider Extra's self employment is "minor in extent" and give full benefits.
My experience with gov't workers advising you about stuff over the phone, especially when it seems they don't really KNOW the correct answer, that all of a sudden the story will change, and the NEXT person in authority you are talking to will say something along the lines of "Oh I don't know why she would tell you THAT...that's completely wrong".

I experienced this when trying to find answers about bus passes and AISH recipients. I talked to two or three "customer service reps" that said things like "well I don't SEE why that would be a problem....oh I would IMAGINE that is the case" etc, etc, but none could give me any printed matter to solidify the point.

But good luck, Slow...keep us updated if there's any change.

[Boosted131]

Originally posted by Xtrema


Only if she's prego or he/she is from PEI.

AB it's mostly 36 weeks because our unemployment rate isn't that bad.

Maximum is still set at 45, regardless how shitty your province's economy is.

I guess you're right. Looks like I really need a job asap now

[ExtraSlow]

Dave, I don't just have their verbal confirmation, they have sent me a letter confirming that my EI Claim has been allowed in light of my self employment details. I still need to report any hours worked and any net earnings every two weeks.

I am not qualified to go into all the details here, but I suspect that most types of self employment would disqualify an EI claim. My situation may be unique.

[phreezee]

Relevant story:
Unemployed Calgary oil and gas worker hopes for an extension in EI benefits

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...sion-1.3404942

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
Dave, I don't just have their verbal confirmation, they have sent me a letter confirming that my EI Claim has been allowed in light of my self employment details. I still need to report any hours worked and any net earnings every two weeks.

I am not qualified to go into all the details here, but I suspect that most types of self employment would disqualify an EI claim. My situation may be unique.

Sorry I missed this. That's great. Hold onto that letter.

I have an email from CoC saying that my RV was completely legal being parked in my driveway, even though I think they're actually "wrong"...but I held onto it anyways and kept my RV parked where it was.
Of course now that it went up in flames and our new one is 3 feet longer, we had to store it elsewhere. Dammit.

[nzwasp]

Originally posted by phreezee
Relevant story:
Unemployed Calgary oil and gas worker hopes for an extension in EI benefits

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...sion-1.3404942

Interesting, its not like EI is their last option ever, she could start cashing in some unlocked RRSP's - i mean shit to do but if you cant afford your mortgage you might as well do. Hell getting a job as a cashier or retail is as good as EI.

[nickyh]

^^ agreed, the problem is a lot of people don't have a plan or a safety net for when the shit gets real.
I've been on mat leave since April and I've been surprised how easy it is living on a lot less, but people don't always adjust their lifestyle.
if my job is no longer there when I return, I have a few contingency plans. One involves working at Safeway if it comes to it.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by nzwasp


Interesting, its not like EI is their last option ever, she could start cashing in some unlocked RRSP's - i mean shit to do but if you cant afford your mortgage you might as well do. Hell getting a job as a cashier or retail is as good as EI.

Buddy is doing 20hrs a week as stocking at Superstore until something comes along. 36 weeks of EI is already pretty good at helping you to alter your plan.

Looking at the pic in the CBC article, it's hard to have sympathy. Her kitchen is way fancier than mine. Should have sold 36 weeks ago and downsize instead of asking more handout.

I do agree that Calgary should get the maximum 45 weeks in the EI program tho, instead of 36.

[Boosted131]

This really sucks, no EI for over a month, and still no jobs. even willing to take short contracts now. I'm in I.T and even the 2 day - 4 hour jobs I found floating around, have people with 30 years experience applying for them...

[Disoblige]

Originally posted by Xtrema

Looking at the pic in the CBC article, it's hard to have sympathy. Her kitchen is way fancier than mine. Should have sold 36 weeks ago and downsize instead of asking more handout.

Good call. That is a nice kitchen!

[leftwing]

Hopefully someone can clear this up for me:

So I was laid off Dec 10th, 2015.

My claim was started on Dec 13, 2015.

In my claim details it says that my vacation pay that was paid out upon layoff covers from Dec 13 - Jan 2 2016. So I didn't get paid during that time which sucks and I don't agree with but whatever.

I filled out my last report for the period of Jan 3 - Jan 16, 2016, It got processed today and says no benefits will be paid because 'this is a week of your waiting period where no benefits are payable'.

When will I get paid? Do I have to wait until after next reporting period (Jan 17 - Jan 29) and I will get paid for all of: Jan 3 - Jan 29? Or do I simply just not get paid for the period of Jan 3 - Jan 16?

Dealing with EI freaking sucks.

On a side note, my question earlier in the thread asking that "if I know when I am going to be laid off should I get vacation paid out beforehand?", well yeah fuck I should have. I got a letter from EI and they acted like they were doing me a favour by delaying my claim until after my vacation pay runs out. No, just gimme my EI!

[pheoxs]

You don't get paid for 2 weeks between the end of employment and start of EI (end of the BS with vacation days I guess).

So you'd start getting paid EI Jan 17th onward

[ExtraSlow]

Yes, they treat vacation payouts the same as severance. It sucks for someone who sacrifices for the good of the company before being laid off.

[theken]

how do they cover seasonal employees with loss of hours? I saved up about 2 months pay this year and i have only been working a few odd hours here and there, do they cover the difference in the $544? say i work 10 hours and make 380 bucks, do they just top up to the 544?