The Canuck EI Thread

[coldwatersurf 5]

I'm K3. what should have been my answer for the EI question: am i willing, able to work? cuz I am, but not yet. Yes or No?

[MrsCat 6]

I'm K3. what should have been my answer for the EI question: am i willing, able to work? cuz I am, but not yet. Yes or No?

If you say no, it means that you're not eligible for EI benefits for that week. You have to be ready, willing and able in order to receive EI benefits.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Why would you say no? Out of curiousity. technically if you are able, you should be out looking - now most of us feel entitled (including myself) and I had no problem indicating yes, even though I had only half-heartedly sent out a resume or 2 that week. EI is meant to be a stop-gap between jobs though - not something we drain until the very last week we're eligible.

but that's just my opinion

[Flames9_RN 358]

Frm my reading on VJ, a K3 isnt technically allowed to work, as they require the EAD. And many k3'ers stated they were not able to get EI until they got that EAD. When in doubt, give the EI people a call, i found them super friendly back in 2005,lol

[Jenni and Bo 0]

So after chasing around me ROE (one lost, another very hard to get printed), waiting, filling out the little paper reports...

EI returns my call today and tells me "No, you won't get money until you send proof that you can work"

But other K-1ers have?!

SHe said they were all wrong, and I will have to send a copy of my EAD to get my EI...

There goes all my hopes of attempting to pay off my bills at home. Why didnt they tell me this ####### 3 months ago

[JillA 2]

So after chasing around me ROE (one lost, another very hard to get printed), waiting, filling out the little paper reports...

EI returns my call today and tells me "No, you won't get money until you send proof that you can work"

But other K-1ers have?!

SHe said they were all wrong, and I will have to send a copy of my EAD to get my EI...

There goes all my hopes of attempting to pay off my bills at home. Why didnt they tell me this ####### 3 months ago

I'm sorry, it really irritates me how no matter what govt person you speak to, you'll get a different answer. Alot of people get EI with a K-1 visa, I think you should try and speak to Donna. Did you talk to Donna? She really helped me out alot.

[Texanadian 10]

Jenni & Bo, I agree with JillA. Phone in and ask to talk to Donna. I don't know if she is the boss or not, but she is thoroughly knowledgeable about the K-1 process. Heck, she's the one that told me that all Canada EI wants to see to prove work authorization is the I-94.

Did you send in the I-94?

Edited April 27, 2009 by Texanadian

[coldwatersurf 5]

Jenni & Bo, I agree with JillA. Phone in and ask to talk to Donna. I don't know if she is the boss or not, but she is thoroughly knowledgeable about the K-1 process. Heck, she's the one that told me that all Canada EI wants to see to prove work authorization is the I-94.

Did you send in the I-94?

do K3 get I-94? I got a card stapled on my passport that says CBP I-94A. I sent a copy of that with the copy of my visa. oooh i hope that card gets me EI sooner. lol.

Edited April 27, 2009 by borderdriver

[Jenni and Bo 0]

Jenni & Bo, I agree with JillA. Phone in and ask to talk to Donna. I don't know if she is the boss or not, but she is thoroughly knowledgeable about the K-1 process. Heck, she's the one that told me that all Canada EI wants to see to prove work authorization is the I-94.

Did you send in the I-94?

Meh, I talked to Donna the first time a couple months ago, but I got a letter today from Service Canada basically saying that because I am a "non-immigrant" and do not have work authorization papers, that they cannot process my claim.

I don't think talking to a different person will help at this point in time. I will try and scan the letter when I can. I just wish they didn't wait 3 months to tell me this.

[JillA 2]

Jenni & Bo, I agree with JillA. Phone in and ask to talk to Donna. I don't know if she is the boss or not, but she is thoroughly knowledgeable about the K-1 process. Heck, she's the one that told me that all Canada EI wants to see to prove work authorization is the I-94.

Did you send in the I-94?

Meh, I talked to Donna the first time a couple months ago, but I got a letter today from Service Canada basically saying that because I am a "non-immigrant" and do not have work authorization papers, that they cannot process my claim.

I don't think talking to a different person will help at this point in time. I will try and scan the letter when I can. I just wish they didn't wait 3 months to tell me this.

That sucks, maybe try one more time and call Donna, she knows what she is talking about. It's unfortunate because many of us got it on a K-1 before the EAD was received.

[Texanadian 10]

Well even though I think you should get it based on the theory of the illustrious 90 day work stamp not to mention the K-1 are authorized bit that we go through with Social Security, I can sympathize with those who don't get it for the first 90 days. That 10 weeks of lost income is a real kick in the crotch. The time when we need the money the most.

You could appeal it. Although in my experience, the people in charge of appeal are clueless. My appeal was denied and I had to explain to them the whole K-1 process since they were "members of the public" who obviously know jack about immigration and how it relates to EI. Although I would recommend phoning up EI again. Keeping track of dates you called and who you talked to. Can be handy for appealing later.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Borderdriver, yes the CBP I-94A is the I-94 I was referring to. Little square card in the passport.

Edited April 28, 2009 by Texanadian

[Flames9_RN 358]

I appealed and won my appeal, but I was a cr-1, so was nothing to do with if i was able to work or not. I belive on the letter stating that you can appeal, they give you a deadline to appeal by. I'm still confused if a k1 can work right away or not, even on this board one gets conflicting answers, its appears it isnt a straight forward item, so one can see how it could confuse a cdn gov't office. And just because 1 has a SSN card, dosnt mean ur legal to work. Hope it works out

[RYCK 0]

ok tired of reading thru pages and pages and seeing the same thing answered over and over again ...... all i have is one question ...

how long does it take to hear from them after you have applied ... weather or not a k-1 can work or not is irrelevant to me i just wanna know how long till i can expect to just sit and wait for an answer .. thanks top anyone who can help me out here

[JillA 2]

ok tired of reading thru pages and pages and seeing the same thing answered over and over again ...... all i have is one question ...

how long does it take to hear from them after you have applied ... weather or not a k-1 can work or not is irrelevant to me i just wanna know how long till i can expect to just sit and wait for an answer .. thanks top anyone who can help me out here

Took about 2 weeks for me..... just to get a reply.

[RYCK 0]

Thanks JillA