Employment Insurance

[Paul H 4]

Jenni just informed me that she may be eligible for EI benefits once she immigrates to the U.S. on her K-1 Visa. I started investigating and found this thread here on VJ.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/172354-what-do-we-know-about-employment-insurance/

I was a bit shocked that this topic isn't discussed actively here (maybe I just didn't know what to look for). It is a time sensitive application that has to be done within 30 days of quitting your job in Canada and after moving to the U.S.. If you wait too long you lose eligibility.

Maybe this is obvious for Canadians, but it was news to me. If you just got your visa approved and are about to quit your job and make your move you might want to check this out!

Thanks!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

There is a sticky at the top of the Canada forum for collecting EI

[hikergirl 277]

Jenni just informed me that she may be eligible for EI benefits once she immigrates to the U.S. on her K-1 Visa. I started investigating and found this thread here on VJ.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/172354-what-do-we-know-about-employment-insurance/

I was a bit shocked that this topic isn't discussed actively here (maybe I just didn't know what to look for). It is a time sensitive application that has to be done within 30 days of quitting your job in Canada and after moving to the U.S.. If you wait too long you lose eligibility.

Maybe this is obvious for Canadians, but it was news to me. If you just got your visa approved and are about to quit your job and make your move you might want to check this out!

Thanks!

If you look under Forums above then Regional Discussions then Canada there is a whole EI Thread pinned right at the top.

Took me a while to realize the Canada Portal didn't necessarily have the whole Canada Regional stuff in it.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/93-canada/

[AMP 54]

Get married then go to the ss office get a ss# and add her to your benefits. I had no issues with my company. Then file for Aos.

Edited September 9, 2011 by AMP

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Get married then go to the ss office get a ss# and add her to your benefits. I had no issues with my company. Then file for Aos.

I don't think this answer applies to Canadians who want Canadian unemployment benefits while in the US.

[CourtneyRox 25]

I actually work for EI canada ... and yes you can draw EI while in the states .. You have to list the reason for separation is due to relocating with spouse... The only thing is that you will only start receiving EI once you become eligible for employment in the states...

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I actually work for EI canada ... and yes you can draw EI while in the states .. You have to list the reason for separation is due to relocating with spouse... The only thing is that you will only start receiving EI once you become eligible for employment in the states...

Exactly!

Since you work for EI - maybe you can answer a question we've all wondered for a while.... does the international office (or whatever they're called) truely understand how all the VISA's work? We've gotten misinformation in the past about maybe getting EI between the time you enter and marry and then it restarts agaiun once you get your EAD. Be interesting to know.

I don't it think will matter for the OP - he mentioned 'wife' which makes me think she will be eligible to work the day she enters the US ( Cr1, IR1?) and thus can start her EI claim and start receiving immediately.

The important thing for the OP's wife is to talk to her HR person and ensure they put the proper reason down so EI understands she didn't just quit for fun.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Since I am not quitting my job, but the contract is simply ending, does that mean I will not be able to collect?

[Paul H 4]

There is a sticky at the top of the Canada forum for collecting EI

Ah yes, well I didn't know what EI meant until today so I just didn't know about it. Good thing Jenni found out from someone in Canada about this or we would not have known.

Thanks!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Ah yes, well I didn't know what EI meant until today so I just didn't know about it. Good thing Jenni found out from someone in Canada about this or we would not have known.

Thanks!

If people (not saying u,lol) would read the guides spend some time at the top of the forums, there is piles of Info to be had.

[Paul H 4]

If people (not saying u,lol) would read the guides spend some time at the top of the forums, there is piles of Info to be had.

Well you gotta admit that the title "Canuck EI thread" is not very descriptive. It never drew me in since I had no idea what it was. Also the wiki link for Employment Insurance is broken so that gets you nowhere.

[AMP 54]

I think I'm moving to Canada, health care when unemployed and moving to another country. Sounds better then Obama care!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Well you gotta admit that the title "Canuck EI thread" is not very descriptive. It never drew me in since I had no idea what it was. Also the wiki link for Employment Insurance is broken so that gets you nowhere.

Because your the American,lol. It wasn't directed at you, nor is this: I just find it sort of funny, people complain about how long the process is, but dont have a few hours to spend reading the stickies/guides. Lot of info their to help them out and make things easier. But,not my problem,lol

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Well you gotta admit that the title "Canuck EI thread" is not very descriptive. It never drew me in since I had no idea what it was. Also the wiki link for Employment Insurance is broken so that gets you nowhere.

Definitely get your wife involved on VJ - she knows what EI is I am the Cdn, my husband is the USC....I expected that I would inform myself about what needed to be done before leaving Canada - the hubster wouldn;t have had a clue.

[CourtneyRox 25]

Exactly!

Since you work for EI - maybe you can answer a question we've all wondered for a while.... does the international office (or whatever they're called) truely understand how all the VISA's work? We've gotten misinformation in the past about maybe getting EI between the time you enter and marry and then it restarts agaiun once you get your EAD. Be interesting to know.

I don't it think will matter for the OP - he mentioned 'wife' which makes me think she will be eligible to work the day she enters the US ( Cr1, IR1?) and thus can start her EI claim and start receiving immediately.

The important thing for the OP's wife is to talk to her HR person and ensure they put the proper reason down so EI understands she didn't just quit for fun.

To be honest I couldn't tell you for sure if they truly understand the ins and outs of how Visa's work, all they are really interested in is the reason you quit and if you are ready willing and capable of working.. When someone leaves Canada for the states and requests EI it's called an Interstate Claim... As you know there will be an investigation conducted like in all EI claims when someone declares Quit as reason of separations.. They will allow you to provide the reason why you quit ie: Moving to follow spouse... and then they will want you to provide proof that you are available and capable of working.. They won't be able to pay you any benefits until this can be proven.. I don't work with interstate claims .. so I can't really go into too much detail... but I can tell you that as long as there are no other issues you should be eligible to receive benefits ... OOh and apply ASAP .. even though most of us are not eligible to work in the states right away.. I would suggest applying for EI as soon as you've served your last day of work... I know I will... and don't forget to submit you ROE if your employer doesn't complete them electronically... If you are having a hard time getting the ROE call EI and request to complete a missing ROE form... or if it is taking your employer more than 1-2 weeks to provide it to you by paper or to EI electronically call and request a missing ROE form as well!!!