Pilot project on increased weeks of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits

Who is affected by the pilot project?
The purpose of the pilot project
The regions included in the pilot project
The duration of the pilot project
How to take advantage of the pilot project
How long can regular benefits be paid during the pilot project?

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Who is affected by the pilot project?

The pilot project applies to you if your claim for regular benefits starts between June 6, 2004 and June 4, 2006 and you live in one of the 24 participating EI economic regions.

Please note that this pilot project has been replaced with a new pilot project. For more information …

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The purpose of the pilot project

Some part-time, seasonal and workers with short employment periods, because of the very nature of their work, face situations where their EI benefits end before finding new employment. This pilot project will last 2 years and will provide an additional 5 weeks of regular benefits to these workers that have few employment alternatives.

Through this pilot project, the Government will evaluate the effects:

• on pilot project participants;
• on the labour market; and
• on existing incentives to work. For example "small weeks".   

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The regions included in the pilot project

The pilot project will be tested in the economic regions where the unemployment rate was 10% or more in at least one month during the 6 month period ending May 8, 2004. Select the region where you live to see if your municipality is included.

Participating Economic Regions

Regions	Regions	Regions
Central Quebec	Northern British Columbia	Restigouche—Albert
Chicoutimi—Jonquière	Northern Manitoba	St. John’s
Eastern Nova Scotia	Northern Ontario	Southern Coastal British Columbia
Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine	Northern Saskatchewan	Southern Interior British Columbia
Lower Saint Lawrence and North Shore	Northwest Territories	Sudbury
Madawaska—Charlotte	North Western Quebec	Trois-Rivières
Newfoundland and Labrador	Nunavut	Western Nova Scotia
Northern Alberta	Prince Edward Island	Yukon

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The duration of the pilot project

The additional 5 weeks of regular EI benefits applies to you if your claim starts between June 6, 2004 and June 4, 2006. New claims starting after June 4, 2006 will not be eligible for the additional weeks of benefits.

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How to take advantage of the pilot project

You can benefit from the pilot project if you meet the following conditions:

• you are filing a claim and are eligible to receive regular benefits; 
• you live in one of the 24 participating EI economic regions; and
• your claim for benefits must start between June 6, 2004 and June 4, 2006.

Note: The additional 5 weeks of EI benefits does not apply to fishing benefits nor to maternity, parental, sickness or compassionate care benefits.

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How long can regular benefits be paid during the pilot project?

Regular benefits can be paid from 14 to a maximum of 45 weeks. The number of weeks of benefits which may be paid is determined at the time your claim for benefits starts, based on the unemployment rate in your region and the number of insurable hours you have accumulated in the qualifying period.

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Number of weeks payable during the pilot project

Regional unemployment rate
Hours of work	6% and under	Over 6% to 7%	Over 7% to 8%	Over 8% to 9%	Over 9% to 10%	Over 10% to 11%	Over 11% to 12%	Over 12% to 13%	Over 13% to 14%	Over 14% to 15%	Over 15% to 16%	Over 16%
420-454	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	31	33	35	37
455-489	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	29	31	33	35	37
490-524	0	0	0	0	0	0	28	30	32	34	36	38
525-559	0	0	0	0	0	26	28	30	32	34	36	38
560-594	0	0	0	0	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39
595-629	0	0	0	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39
630-664	0	0	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
665-699	0	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
700-734	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41
735-769	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41
770-804	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42
805-839	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42
840-874	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43
875-909	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43
910-944	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
945-979	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
980-1014	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45
1015-1049	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45
1050-1084	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45
1085-1119	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45
1120-1154	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45
1155-1189	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45
1190-1224	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45
1225-1259	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45
1260-1294	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45
1295-1329	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45
1330-1364	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45
1365-1399	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45
1400-1434	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45
1435-1469	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45
1470-1504	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45
1505-1539	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45
1540-1574	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45
1575-1609	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45	45
1610-1644	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
1645-1679	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
1680-1714	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
1715-1749	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
1750-1784	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
1785-1819	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
1820-	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45	45