Employment Insurance (EI) - Internet and Telephone Services

Employment Insurance (EI) — A three-step process

Using our Internet and Telephone Services you can:

• Apply for Employment Insurance benefits
• Receive benefits
• Get information on the status of your claim

Our Internet services can guide you through the three-step process of Employment Insurance (EI). Follow these steps, at your own pace, and provide complete and accurate information to ensure your claim is processed as quickly as possible.

• If you can receive benefits, your first payment should be issued within 28 days from the date we receive your claim.
• If you cannot receive benefits, we will notify you by letter or telephone and explain the reasons. If you disagree with the reasons, you have the right to appeal.

Step 1 - Apply for EI benefits

You will need:

• Your Social Insurance Number
• Record(s) of Employment (ROE) for the last year or proof of employment — e.g. pay stubs, T-4s — if you cannot obtain your ROE
• Bank transit number and your bank account number for Direct Deposit
• Salary amount before deductions for the last week worked — Sunday to Saturday — including tips and commissions
• Amounts received or to be received — e.g. vacation pay, severance pay, pension
• Dates of the weeks — Sunday to Saturday — in the last 52 weeks for which:
  
  • You received a salary before deductions of less than $225
  • You did not work — and the reasons why — and you did not receive any earnings

There are two ways you can apply:

1. by Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere you have access
   Visit: servicecanada.gc.ca and click on "Access Employment Insurance services" under the menu "On-line Services", or
   
2. In Person: During business hours, at your Service Canada Centre

Note: It will take about 45 minutes to complete the application

You will receive a confirmation number as proof that we received your application.

You can print this page and write your confirmation number here for future reference: 

Step 2 - Receive benefits

In order to receive your EI payments, you must complete and submit reports that cover two calendar weeks, from Sunday to Saturday. These reports contain questions about your entitlement to receive benefits.

Shortly after you file your application for benefits, we will mail you an EI benefit statement indicating the date your first report is due and your Access Code.  

There are two ways to complete and submit your report. You will need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and Access Code.

1. Internet Reporting Service at servicecanada.gc.ca click on "Access Employment Insurance services" under the menu "On-line Services". This service:
   
   • Allows you to answer the questions at your own pace
   • Makes it easy to read and verify your answers before submitting your report
      
2. Telephone Reporting Service
   Call 1 800 531-7555 
   
   Tips: Use our Reporting Calendar to keep track of your earnings and hours worked.

Direct Deposit

• Your payment will be deposited to your bank account 2 business days after submitting your report

Step 3 - General Information

There are 2 ways to get information on your claim:

1. My Employment Insurance information on-line. This service gives you the convenience and flexibility of accessing your EI information in one place via a secure web site.
   
   If you have a current or previous claim for EI benefits, you can:
   
   

   • View payment information on your current claim including deduction details
   • View and update your personal information including your mailing address, phone number and banking information for direct deposit
   • View your current and previous claims for EI benefits
   • Access an easy to use help function and frequently asked questions
   • Link to our other on-line services including the Application for Employment Insurance Benefits on the Internet, the Internet Reporting Service and Job Bank
   
   To use "My EI Information on line" go to: servicecanada.gc.ca
   click on "View and update my Service Canada Account" under the menu "On-line Services".

2. The Telephone Information Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at: 1 800 206-7218.