The Canuck EI Thread

[Piefre 15]

Is anybody else having trouble calling in to do their EI reporting/cards thing? I called them twice last week and no one got back to me.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

It's June 25th, 2:08 PM EST, Interstate mailbox is full.

I've faxed my EAD, I hope something happens soon.

One question, I was on EI for three months prior to POE. I notified intertate that I moved and they suspended my EI until I got my EAD. This was in January. I finally got my EAD, (6 months later). Will I still be able to receive the remainder of my EI?

Edited June 25, 2012 by Minu Luvs Pinu

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

How long does it take for these people to get the EI started? My EI was only suspended, they take forever!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

How long does it take for these people to get the EI started? My EI was only suspended, they take forever!

Honestly - it takes a while, you can certainly call them back to ensure they mailed your cards but teh mail is horrible. Many of us have ended up updating our cards by phone because the cards took so long to come.

Call and bug them, ask if you can do your updates by phone if you still haven't received cards.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

Cards? I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean by "cards"? I never received a card from them. I just want to know when they'll start the direct deposit again. I just wish I could get a job right way, this EI is ridiculous, when I was living in Canada it took them two months to get my EI started and I had already gone deep into my savings. It's seriously such a joke. I hate having to deal with these idiots. They say they're on it and 5 weeks later you still get nothing.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Cards? I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean by "cards"? I never received a card from them. I just want to know when they'll start the direct deposit again. I just wish I could get a job right way, this EI is ridiculous, when I was living in Canada it took them two months to get my EI started and I had already gone deep into my savings. It's seriously such a joke. I hate having to deal with these idiots. They say they're on it and 5 weeks later you still get nothing.

Yes they mail you cards which you have to fill out and return. Can't recall all the info on the cards, but more or less asks if u have been looking for work---and if you have been working, how many hrs did u work, etc etc

Edited July 10, 2012 by Flames9_RN

[Rayoflight 10]

I never mail in the cards. I always call them early Friday morning when they are due and leave a message with my name, SIN, and phone number. Someone usually calls me back before the end of the day (Monday morning at the latest) and we do the 'card' over the phone. I received my EAD in late April, waited my two week waiting period and started receiving benefits with no issues.

Honestly - it takes a while, you can certainly call them back to ensure they mailed your cards but teh mail is horrible. Many of us have ended up updating our cards by phone because the cards took so long to come.

Call and bug them, ask if you can do your updates by phone if you still haven't received cards.

[canuckbos 10]

Yes they mail you cards which you have to fill out and return. Can't recall all the info on the cards, but more or less asks if u have been looking for work---and if you have been working, how many hrs did u work, etc etc

Do you have a SSN and your green card in hand? I had to send them a copy of these documents before they would start my benefits. You have to prove you are legally allowed to work in the USA.

Also, because we live in the USA we don't get benefits for the full weeks, I think they cut it down by 2 weeks. Maybe someone else can confirm this. Once I did this it didn't take very long.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Do you have a SSN and your green card in hand? I had to send them a copy of these documents before they would start my benefits. You have to prove you are legally allowed to work in the USA.

Also, because we live in the USA we don't get benefits for the full weeks, I think they cut it down by 2 weeks. Maybe someone else can confirm this. Once I did this it didn't take very long.

Person above is on a k1---they have to wait for work authorization (EAD) and she stated above that she faxed it in. But 1 of the slow downs for her/him may be that she started collecting EI in canada then moved to the USA--so now it has to go to the International side of the house. And it being summer--people are probably on holidays

[Elisinha 1]

I just did my online and i already sent my ROE, my to be honest not sure i sent to the right address ... I mailed to th Outside of Canada Office in Kingston.

We will see! Wish me good luck..

Thanks..

[Piefre 15]

Anyone have any experience starting their own business while on EI? How do they deal with people who (obviously) won't make enough money. Do the payments just cease or do they have to put you on hold and re-evaluate your case? Or will they ding you massively at the end of the tax year? I guess I should be calling them up to ask them about this, but when I did they told me it depends on a case-by-case basis.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

So I filed back in June for my EI to start up again. And its now Aug. 21st. Nothings happened. I gave them everything they needed and more and still nothing. I keep calling them and leaving them messages and no one cares to call back.

They really don't want to help me out huh? Any one here have this problem too?

This isn't the first time they did this to me. Before I left Canada my hours at work were reduced by A LOT and I had to go on EI which took me two and a half months to get. I had to go into my savings that I was saving up for my move to the US. They're a complete bullsh*t department, I honestly don't care any more. If my husband wasn't supporting me right now I would, honestly, be in major debt and homeless! Just completely fed up and frustrated. I don't want to deal with these people any more.

[Flames9_RN 358]

So I filed back in June for my EI to start up again. And its now Aug. 21st. Nothings happened. I gave them everything they needed and more and still nothing. I keep calling them and leaving them messages and no one cares to call back.

They really don't want to help me out huh? Any one here have this problem too?

This isn't the first time they did this to me. Before I left Canada my hours at work were reduced by A LOT and I had to go on EI which took me two and a half months to get. I had to go into my savings that I was saving up for my move to the US. They're a complete bullsh*t department, I honestly don't care any more. If my husband wasn't supporting me right now I would, honestly, be in major debt and homeless! Just completely fed up and frustrated. I don't want to deal with these people any more.

Start at the basics....are you calling the International EI phone number?? As wel as Email. Look at some of the above posters who have called and been successful---PM them and check to see what # (email)they are using. And if no luck, contact ur former MP back in ur old Canadian riding--and get them on it!!

[brooksie 3]

the number is 613-536-4987 they are not very good at calling you back

[Piefre 15]

I've been calling in for my phone reporting at this number: 1-877-486-1650 and they usually got back to me. Once they didn't get back to me and I was a week late for my report. I called in every day that week to leave a message. You really have to be persistent.