Self-Employed can I claim EI?

[Wishing 1]

Hello!

Can't seem to find this information through searching, posted in the Canuck EI Thread but no one responded. I am currently self-employed and not paying into EI benefits. I did previously pay into EI...can I still collect EI when I leave Canada!?

[Krikit 1,164]

I do not know the answer to your question but you may want to review the HRSDC Website and/or give them a call.

[trailmix 77]

Chances are, if you haven't been paying in to EI in the last 52 weeks, you will not be eligible.

You may also want to have a look at the eligibility requirements.

Qualifying period

The qualifying period is the shorter of :

the 52-week period immediately before the start date of a claim, or

the period since the start of a previous EI claim if that claim had started during the 52 week-period.

Edited June 13, 2010 by trailmix

[NBtoPitt 2]

I agree with trailmix. I've been looking into this as I've spent most of the year as a self-employed contracted engineer rather than opting to be a full-time employee of the firm and so they didn't take EI out of me. I'll be working full-time the next few months though, so hopefully it'll work out.

[Veronik 19]

Just call the EI, my sister-in-law works there and they'll answer any questions you might have...

Had to call a while back and it wasn't long to get someone on the phone.

Good luck!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Unless things have changed, if you are self-employed you don't pay into and don't collect Employment Insurance . Even though you paid in previously, it would have to have been in the qualifying period immediately before you stopped working in order to qualify.

Edited June 14, 2010 by Kathryn41