Employment Insurance (EI) and persons working for a relative
You may be able to receive EI even if you work for a relative
When is this employment insurable?
To receive EI benefits
Penalties for fraud
You may be able to receive EI even if you work for a relative
You may qualify for EI even if your employer is related to you, as long as your employment is insurable.
You can work for:
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a member of your immediate family;
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your common-law spouse;
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a company owned by a relative; or
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a company in which you own less than 40 percent of the voting shares.
When is this employment insurable
Nothing prevents an individual who is related to you from employing you. For your employment to be insurable, a true employer/employee relationship must exist. It means that the same employment rules apply to you as between non-related employers and employees.
In deciding, factors have to be taken into account:
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terms and conditions of the employment, such as the hours of work;
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wages paid;
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length or duration of the employment;
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nature of the work being done; and
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importance of the work being done.
You should verify with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) 
who is responsible to make a decision as to whether your employment is insurable. Don't wait until you are unemployed because, given the complexity of some employment situations your benefits could be delayed while an insurability ruling is made. In addition, if it is determined that your employment is not insurable, then you should not be paying premiums.
To receive EI benefits
You must meet all the requirements conditions to receive EI benefits. To find out about these requirements, please see regular benefits, maternity, parental, sickness benefits or compassionate care benefits.
For more information, please call our Telephone Information Service at 1 800 206-7218, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or contact your Service Canada Centre.
topPenalties for fraud
If you make an honest mistake and give us incorrect information on your claim, it is not too late to come forward. Under our disclosure policy we can waive any penalties or prosecution, if the matter is not already under investigation. However, if you knowingly hold back information or change the facts to make a false claim, you are committing fraud. There are severe penalties for fraud.
