The Canuck EI Thread

[Tofu 343]

21 hours ago, Ptitchou said:

Is there an updated FAQ on this topic that would be valid for present year? (2021) I'm looking into this option but this thread is 1000s of posts long and spans years. 

 

 

Hey, I called Service Canada last week (2/16/21) to confirm that we are in fact eligible and the answer is yes.  

[wingman23 140]

7 hours ago, Tofu said:

Hey, I called Service Canada last week (2/16/21) to confirm that we are in fact eligible and the answer is yes.  

Just to add my 2cents here - I just recently applied for it and it got approved. Applied Dec 2020 and approved Jan/Feb 2021. I quit my job Jan 2020 to migrate here but took my time to apply for the EI. Good thing that the evaluator still considered my application. I have to leave them a message and they called me back and explained to them my circumstances. Just a sound advise - please apply for it immediately so there will be no questions afterwards. 

 

In the application forms, you'll have a space there to explain why you quit your job because normally, you are not eligible for EI if you quit your work. For our cases, we quit because we needed to be with your spouse and you'll be able to explain it in the form as well. In my case, they required me to fill out another form to explain or provide information why I was out of Canada and mailed it back to them.

 

It's just tedious that we can't file our reports online. In my case, I receive the form on a regular mail and send it back to them. Long process but works.

[INF 96]

7 hours ago, wingman23 said:

Just to add my 2cents here - I just recently applied for it and it got approved. Applied Dec 2020 and approved Jan/Feb 2021. I quit my job Jan 2020 to migrate here but took my time to apply for the EI. Good thing that the evaluator still considered my application. I have to leave them a message and they called me back and explained to them my circumstances. Just a sound advise - please apply for it immediately so there will be no questions afterwards. 

 

In the application forms, you'll have a space there to explain why you quit your job because normally, you are not eligible for EI if you quit your work. For our cases, we quit because we needed to be with your spouse and you'll be able to explain it in the form as well. In my case, they required me to fill out another form to explain or provide information why I was out of Canada and mailed it back to them.

 

It's just tedious that we can't file our reports online. In my case, I receive the form on a regular mail and send it back to them. Long process but works.

Hi there! What number did you call?

[Tofu 343]

9 hours ago, INF said:

Hi there! What number did you call?

Took about 2 hours but I just called the general service canada line :

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-telephone-reporting.html

[wingman23 140]

10 hours ago, INF said:

Hi there! What number did you call?

Ill look for the number later. It was in the letter that they sent out to me when they initially reviewed my application, together with my pin.

[INF 96]

8 hours ago, Tofu said:

Took about 2 hours but I just called the general service canada line :

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-telephone-reporting.html

Thank you!!!

[A&RN 64]

Hello, 

 

New to this thread. Just moved to US on March 6th to live with my spouse on a CR-1. Is there an FAQ or some document I can use that summarizes this? I am trying to file EI till I get a job here. I called Service Canada EI and they told me that their system says I can't claim Canadian EI when I have moved to US. I had to then tell her that it is on the Government of Canada website and she said that's completely different than the information they have in their system on EI benefits in US. So... now she is checking again because I directed her to the link on the canada.ca website...

 

Thanks!

Edited March 11, 2021 by A&RN

[2Ps 49]

On 2/25/2021 at 4:40 PM, wingman23 said:

Just to add my 2cents here - I just recently applied for it and it got approved. Applied Dec 2020 and approved Jan/Feb 2021. I quit my job Jan 2020 to migrate here but took my time to apply for the EI. Good thing that the evaluator still considered my application. I have to leave them a message and they called me back and explained to them my circumstances. Just a sound advise - please apply for it immediately so there will be no questions afterwards. 

 

In the application forms, you'll have a space there to explain why you quit your job because normally, you are not eligible for EI if you quit your work. For our cases, we quit because we needed to be with your spouse and you'll be able to explain it in the form as well. In my case, they required me to fill out another form to explain or provide information why I was out of Canada and mailed it back to them.

 

It's just tedious that we can't file our reports online. In my case, I receive the form on a regular mail and send it back to them. Long process but works.

 

On 2/26/2021 at 6:00 PM, INF said:

Thank you!!!

 

On 3/11/2021 at 7:57 AM, A&RN said:

Hello, 

 

New to this thread. Just moved to US on March 6th to live with my spouse on a CR-1. Is there an FAQ or some document I can use that summarizes this? I am trying to file EI till I get a job here. I called Service Canada EI and they told me that their system says I can't claim Canadian EI when I have moved to US. I had to then tell her that it is on the Government of Canada website and she said that's completely different than the information they have in their system on EI benefits in US. So... now she is checking again because I directed her to the link on the canada.ca website...

 

Thanks!

I called the general EI office yesterday and they gave me this no. 1-877-486-1650. They called me back the next day after I left a voicemail. And they walked me through the necessary steps.

 

Btw, does anyone know if we are eligible to work as soon as we cross the border on CR1 visa? or do we have to wait till we get the SSN?  (see question below from the form)

 

I only crossed the border on March 14th and SSN office says wait at least 3 weeks after your Is the date the day I crossed the border or when I receive the SSN? Any advice from people who have already gone through this process would be super helpful as I don't want to wait around....

 

Edited March 19, 2021 by 2Ps

[Tofu 343]

4 hours ago, 2Ps said:

 

 

I called the general EI office yesterday and they gave me this no. 1-877-486-1650. They called me back the next day after I left a voicemail. And they walked me through the necessary steps.

 

Btw, does anyone know if we are eligible to work as soon as we cross the border on CR1 visa? or do we have to wait till we get the SSN?  (see question below from the form)

 

I only crossed the border on March 14th and SSN office says wait at least 3 weeks after your Is the date the day I crossed the border or when I receive the SSN? Any advice from people who have already gone through this process would be super helpful as I don't want to wait around....

 

Thanks for the info, I will keep this in mind for when I apply! 

 

Yes, you are allowed to work as soon as you cross, the stamp in your visa works as temporary evidence until you receive your SSN -- the below reference is not from Canada, but works same for Canadian immigrants. 

 

https://www.siam-legal.com/US_Visa/cr1-visa-requirements.php

 

 

 

 

 

[Jay&Sid 211]

Hey Guys,

 

Before exploring this thread I have no idea that one can apply EI after relocating to US.

I am a spouse visa applicant and expecting to move in July.

Kindly keep sharing your process. Thx

[pooj97 89]

Hey guys I wanted to confirm, K1 applicants cannot do this, correct? Or is it still possible 

[Rayoflight 10]

49 minutes ago, pooj97 said:

Hey guys I wanted to confirm, K1 applicants cannot do this, correct? Or is it still possible 

I did and was on a K1 but that was 2012

[pooj97 89]

1 minute ago, Rayoflight said:

I did and was on a K1 but that was 2012

Can you elaborate a little? Did you apply for EI in Canada or for EI in the US and then they gave you unemployment until you got your work permit and were  able to find a job in the US?

[A&RN 64]

Hey all - update from the EI claim after moving here. Once we leave Canada and have eligibility to work in USA (which you would with Spousal visa, not sure about Fiance), we get 'transferred' to Interstate Claims Department. They are the ones who look at our application, approve us and where we have to submit reports etc. The number to call is +1 877 486 1650, as someone stated above. Whenever you move here and call them, you have to leave a voicemail, that's how they call you back. If you don't leave a voicemail and keep trying, you won't get a call back... that's my understanding. 

 

I was told that I am eligible and I have to submit a report every 2 weeks, as you would in Canada. Ideally, they ask you to submit paper reports unlike internet report that you can send in Canada. However, because of postal delays right now, they have asked everybody to call in every 2 weeks to submit the reports. You are eligible to receive EI from Canada as long as you have work authorization here in US and you are available to work. 

 

Let me know if you all have any questions!

[MovingToFlorida 71]

Hi there, I'm reading, and scrolling through all the latest posts but I'm having trouble finding out...

 

1) How do you apply for this?

2) When do you need to apply for this?

3) Who can apply for this?

 

Can anyone advise or give me a quick breakdown?

 

Also any links to the EI websites where I apply or can read up on this?

 

My husband and I are F3 family visa moving to be with our parents and will be quitting our jobs in Canada and looking for new jobs after we move to the US.

 

Thank you for any help! I'm so lost 😂