The Employment Insurance program works as a support system for those unemployed workers seeking jobs, or are in the process of enhancing their skills. It also caters benefits to workers who are on leave for instances like pregnancy, parental duties, illness, or those who need time to take care of an ill family member.
Self-employed Canadians can access Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits by entering into an agreement, or registering, with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission.
Application and special benefits
Unemployed Canadian workers are eligible for the benefits of the Employment Insurance only if the employee loses his/her job through mass lay-offs, or work shortage, and not through some form of offense or reasonable cause for termination from his/her former employee.
Other than the unemployed worker insurance, there are five other kinds of Employment Insurance benefits.
1) Maternity Benefits are for women who pregnant and about to give birth.
2) Parental benefits are for parents who need time to take care of a new born or adopted child.
3) Sickness benefits are for employees unable to work due to illness, or injury
4) Compassionate care benefits apply for those people responsible for taking care of an injured or ill family member
5) Parents of critically ill children benefits are for parents in need of time away to tend to wounded, injured or ill child
Coverage and requirements
Employees are only eligible for benefits if they have paid premiums in the past year. As soon as one loses employment, he or she must apply for the Employment Insurance benefits immediately. Applications do not require a Record of Employment; delay in application for more than 4 weeks after the day of resignation can cause a decrease in benefits.
Administration
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission oversees the entire Employment Insurance program, and they are the ones that se the annual premium rate for eligible employees should pay.
Service Canada also plays a role, as they provide the EI benefits payments, services, and support. They provide benefit information, responsible for answering inquiries and assistance. They also provide the means for an appeal, are the ones that conduct client identification, and tasked with the prevention of fraud.
Self-employed individuals in Quebec are entitled to the same parental-oriented insurances, but under the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan. They are still free, however, to apply for the Canada Employment Insurance Commission for the Employment Insurance for sickness, compassionate and parental care.
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