Canadian Unemployment Insurance

[dutchmatt 1]

Just wondering....

My last day of work is Nov 13 and I plan to enter the US by the end of November. Can I still apply for EI benefits? It's within 30 days so, I should be OK right?

[payxibka 10,045]

moving to Canada regional

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I think you should be OK - have you called Service Canada to make sure?

On your ROE it should probably say that the reason you left was to join fiance in the US (quitting simply to quit is not a valid reason to claim EI so Service Canada needs to be sure you didn't just up and quit your job)

However, you cannot claim EI until you are ready, willing and able to work, this is typically done after the EAD has been issued and received and you have a valid SSN

1 800 206-7218 They are very helpful!

Good luck.

[dutchmatt 1]

I guess the confusing part for me is that the wiki page on VJ regarding this topic says that you should apply within 30 days of quitting after you entered the US. I wont have EAD by then of course. So how do K1's do it?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

From the pinned topics

See my comments on this on page 10 of the old forum thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums2/index.p...3210&st=135

In short, apply for EI so you're in the system. They allow for the fact that you cannot legally work in the US, but in order to ensure you get the maximum weeks (or in some cases the weeks that you need to qualify for the benefits) you need to submit your info.

You can always call them to clarify what you need to do. They're pretty helpful.

edit: And it's correct that you can't collect EI until you have your EAD. In my case the very very nice case worker backdated my application to the day I left Canada (about 6 months before my EAD) so I'd get benefits at all.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8

Edited October 27, 2009 by canadian_wife

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I guess the confusing part for me is that the wiki page on VJ regarding this topic says that you should apply within 30 days of quitting after you entered the US. I wont have EAD by then of course. So how do K1's do it?

Ask your questions in the EI thread which is pinned - but I think if you read back just a couple pages you'll find people with the same issues. Ei thinks you can work when you come in on a K1, of course you know you can't....just file - they'll ask you for copies of everything they need to determine of you can work and are eligible.

2 yrs ago - they assumed I was eligible to work for the first 90 days i entered and then I got nothing until I got my official EAD a month or so later - then they back paid me. I think it depends who you talk to at the Belleville office....definitely peruse the EI thread

[Dan and Ali 3]

As long as you apply within 4 weeks from the week of your last week of work, you will be fine. If your last day of work is November 13, that would mean you have until the end of the week of December 12 to apply and have your application considered timely.

[Wis-Can 0]

I left my job two weeks before moving, then applied for EI a couple days after entry. I didn't have any problems, they keep sending me cards, I keep sending them back but I won't get a cheque till after I give them a copy of my EAD once I get it. They have yet to tell me that though. I get a letter from then every couple of weeks that says "keep sending in cards while they are working on my case". Best of luck with you move.