Automated telephone reporting service and Direct Deposit

Telephone
Our standard way of paying benefits
What are automated telephone reporting service and Direct Deposit
What are the advantages
How the automated telephone reporting service works
How Direct Deposit works
What you need to know if you worked
If you are not yet receiving your EI payment by Direct Deposit

Telephone

Dial the toll-free number: 1 800 531-7555, to access the automated telephone reporting service.

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Our standard way of paying benefits

The automated telephone reporting service and Direct Deposit are our standard ways of processing and paying your EI benefits. In exceptional cases, such as, if you are receiving and/or participating in Employment benefits and support measures, if you are hearing impaired, or if you don't have access to a phone with Touch-Tone^TM service, you may not be able to use the automated telephone reporting service. You would then need to complete and mail in reports.

What are automated telephone reporting service and Direct Deposit

The automated telephone reporting service is an electronic service that allows you to submit your reports using a phone with Touch-tone^TM service, instead of mailing them. When you use the automated telephone reporting service with Direct Deposit your payment is deposited directly to your bank account.

The automated telephone reporting service is available throughout Canada and can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Although the automated telephone reporting service is available to accept your call on Friday morning for weekend reporting, reports called in Friday are not processed until Sunday afternoon. Friday is always the busiest time for trying to file your EI report using the automated telephone reporting service and a busy signal may occur. Whether you place your call on Friday, Saturday or on Sunday before 3:00 PM, your report will be processed Sunday afternoon.

What are the advantages

Using the automated telephone reporting service and Direct Deposit provides you with faster and more efficient service.

The advantages are :

• Faster processing of your EI payment
• Elimination of delays and mailing costs
• Reliable, Convenient, Simple and Secure

How the automated telephone reporting service works

• Shortly after filing your EI application, you will receive step-by-step instructions in the mail.
• An interactive demonstration is available to assist you. Call 1 800 531-7555 and select option 1.
• Your Social Insurance Number (SIN), combined with your Access code, is your electronic signature making you responsible for the information provided.
• Using a phone with Touch-Tone^TM service, you answer a series of questions about your employment status.
• The automated telephone reporting service will tell you when your report is due.

It is important to call in your reports as soon as they are due to ensure prompt payment of benefits. If you do not complete your reports within 3 weeks of the date you are told to call in the next report, you risk losing benefits.

How Direct Deposit works

• Your payment is deposited directly to your bank account 2 business days after you complete your report using the automated telephone reporting service.
• If you report by mail, your payment is deposited to your bank account 2 business days after your report is processed.
• The deposit to your bank account is your record of payment.
• If you have not yet supplied your complete bank account information you can do it now...

What you need to know if you worked

Tip: Use the reporting calendar to keep track of your earnings and hours worked.

If more information is needed regarding your report by phone you will either be transferred to a reprensentative to finalize your report or asked to call back during business hours.

Remember, to avoid repayment situations be sure to report all your earnings in the weeks they are earned. If you find that you made a mistake after you have completed your report, call our automated telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and press "0" to speak to a representative.

If you are not yet receiving your EI payment by Direct Deposit

To apply for Direct Deposit, you need your complete bank account information, as shown on your cheque or bank statement. Once you have this information:

• Call our automated telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and choose the option "0". A representative will then ask you to provide your bank account information; or
• Print and complete an application for Direct Deposit and mail it to your Service Canada Centre; or 
• Complete an application for Direct Deposit at your Service Canada Centre.

If your bank account information changes or if you move, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible by calling our automated telephone information service at 1 800 206-7218, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and press "0" to speak to a representative. You can also write to or visit your Service Canada Centre.