EI question

[Stuart and Thea 95]

I did thank the person that answered my question.

To the person that told me that I couldn't get EI until I get my EAD, thankyou for letting me know that, though I already knew it, it was nice of you to provide me that information in case I didn't know. I'm sure that it will be helpful to someone, and I'm sorry for not acknowledging that in my previous post, as you thought you were helping.

[Colleens 40]

There is a lot of old information in the EI thread, and if it were followed today it could cause some issues.

If I know a thread long and 'older' I tend to start in the middle or 3/4 the way through (and look at the date of the posts to ensure the info I am reading is up to date)to find the revelant info. If I don't find my info that way, then I ask.

[pocheros 101]

I applied for EI online back in September when I POE'd and it took 2-3 weeks to receive mail from them. I don't remember how long specifically but I remember it took them a little while. I don't have my EAD or anything- I just wanted to open my case- but I still received some stuff from them, including those cards that you fill out. Course I dropped the ball and haven't bothered to follow up since then so my case is probably closed or something, but to answer the question about whether or not you're going to get mail: yes, you should be expecting some mail from service canada very soon. The mail I received from them listed a bunch of questions in order to determine eligibility for employment insurance. Since you're not eligible until you receive your EAD, you will likely have to call their office at some point and tell them what's going on and ask them not to close your case until you get the right documentation.

I similarly find the EI thread cumbersome- it's not that it's too long, it's that the relevant information is difficult to locate and much of it is out of date. Calling the relevant office for information might be your best bet. In general I have good experiences with service reps on government hotlines, so it's not too frustrating.

[Rayoflight 10]

I applied before I left canada two weeks ago and I received and Employment Insurance Benefit Statement in the mail. It shows access code. No idea what I am suppose to do with it though. Was expecting a letter asking more questions although I explained everything when I filed. No reports in the mail yet either.

The sticky above is way too long to view, not to mention that half of it is archived and I can't access it anyway, so I'm hoping that someone can answer my question without me having to snore through 22 pages. (I have my settings to max post per page too!)

I applied for my EI online 2 weeks ago, and will be applying for my AOS in a week and a bit. I still haven't gotten any emails or mail from EI, should I have by now?

I know that I need to let them know when my EAD is approved so that I can start collecting payments, but I have heard that I am supposed to be looking for work before I get it physically or I lose out on some payments?? How long after I apply for it with my AOS, will it be approved so that I can legally do this when I won't actually have it in hand yet?

Can someone in the know create a newer up to date sticky so that we're not having to find the relevant posts among hundreds? It is no longer helpful!

[Stuart and Thea 95]

I applied before I left canada two weeks ago and I received and Employment Insurance Benefit Statement in the mail. It shows access code. No idea what I am suppose to do with it though. Was expecting a letter asking more questions although I explained everything when I filed. No reports in the mail yet either.

I do know that if you applied before you left Canada, you have to let them know and your file will be transferred to another department, it might take a little, but if like the rest of us you have to wait for EAD, then it really won't hold you back any. I'm sorry that I don't have that info at my fingertips, but I think it's in the first 6 pages of the EI thread, if you care to read, or maybe someone will be able to tell you exactly. All I remember is that I read it and decided to wait to file for EI till I was here because of the transfer thing, hoping that it would make things go easier. Definitely make sure that they know you have moved and that they have your file in the right department!

[SapphireDreams 71]

You will most definitely get a letter in the mail confirmed if you've been approved and for how many weeks you qualified for. I remember it taking a good 3 weeks or so. With the holidays now, I'd probably expect a slight delay too.

Once you get that, you'll also start getting the cards in the mail that you can fill out and send back. I filled them out and then sent them back as I got them. They then sent me another letter telling me that they needed proof of working status in the US (a copy of the EAD) and once they got that, I'd start getting payments.

I never made it to payments. I actually started job hunting before my EAD and had an offer the day I get my EAD.

If your finding the mail is delayed, definitely call them. You will get mail for every step of the way though, just takes extra time. They are quite helpful on the phone though if you're the type that prefers to get an answer immediately! I was in no rush to hear from them, so I just waited for the letters and they all came in due time.