The Canuck EI Thread

[sweety-sweet 1]

I thought of resigning on October 11, 2013. But I wont submit my letter till I received my passport with visa.

To apply interstate EI,

fill the form (regular EI) ?

give address in US ?

ROE from employer stating that I resigned to relocate with spouse or just quit is enough?

I am IR 1 / CR1 visa

should I apply at nearest EI office in person or online?

I had never applied EI in Canada and I am working here nearly 4 years. I read this but I still need a brief guideline.

Thank you.

Edited September 26, 2013 by sweety-sweet

[NikLR 13,220]

I thought of resigning on October 11, 2013. But I wont submit my letter till I received my passport with visa.

To apply interstate EI,

fill the form (regular EI) ?

give address in US ?

ROE from employer stating that I resigned to relocate with spouse or just quit is enough?

I am IR 1 / CR1 visa

should I apply at nearest EI office in person or online?

I had never applied EI in Canada and I am working here nearly 4 years. I read this but I still need a brief guideline.

Thank you.

1) Yes just fill out the online form

2) submit new US address

3) My ROE stated just quit despite asking them multiple times to include why. It didn't affect me at all because on the online form I specifically put I was relocating for family reasons. There is a box to fill out to explain it completely. they will require a copy of your US endorsed via (or green card) after you move to show them you're there legally. They'll request that information from you but you can scan it and fax it in.

4) if you go to an office they'll just put you on a computer to fill it out. The guy at service canada wasn't very helpful for me honestly.

[Lakehouse 293]

Hello all, I've read all 69 pages!

Wow, took a long time/over many days, but I prepared myself a summary of what I felt were relevant points from a CRI/IR1 point of view.

I felt sharing it might help with others who are swimming through the forums on this topic.

Here is what I captured from various posts/copied and pasted:

-pretty straight forward as a cr-1 as one is legally able to work right away. http://www.visajourn...ing_to_the_U.S.

-when you quit your job in Canada, be sure to tell your employer you are quitting b/c you are moving to get married; so your r.o.e.., will reflect that

-you have to apply for EI within 4 weeks of quitting your job

-it is best to wait until I'm in the States, and then apply for EI online.

-1-877-486-1650 number to contact them from outside of Canada

-working reports fax# 613-545-8934 – and USA work authorization questionnaire faxed to 1-613-545-8934

-the ph number is 613-536-4987 (? from within Canada only)

-For the EI benefit type, do I pick regular since I just relocated to the US-yes

-Sign up at Service canada so you can keep track of the dates and payments on line -- it's very handy

-the 25% tax is automatically deducted. Customhouse.com is a great free Money change service (now owned by Western Union)

-Applying for an EAD separately from AOS/green card is a waste of money (it's $300 or something) plus it only allows you to work for 90 days after entering the States but if you apply for it along with AOS it's free

-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. The day you have those in hand you need to call EI and fax those documents to the EI office that handles US residents only. Once you get everything to them, the EI $$ start coming

-You do have 4 weeks to apply as from your last day worked, not your last paycheque

-I just talked to someone about why I couldn't login to the My service Canada account and it's because when they ask you the question of you SIN, DOB, access code and where you're located, if you're outside Canada you need to put down Ontario. She said it's silly and how is anyone supposed to know that but that's how it is.

- I claimed EI before I left Canada because I wanted to go to a Service Canada centre and just apply there. You can do it at home as well.

-US work < 30 hrs still gets topped up with EI.

eg:

Just wanted to share my experience with EI since I moved to the USA for anyone who has any questions about the process of getting EI:

1) Came to the USA last August 24, 2012 on an IR1 Visa - temporary Green Card was stamped in my passport and I received my Social Security Number card a little over a week after arriving here.

2) Applied for EI online on August 25th.

3) A couple weeks later I received a letter and questionnaire from EI with instructions on next steps. Once I received my SSN, I faxed my ROE (stating 'Quit To Relocate To Be With Spouse in the USA' for reason for quitting my job), a copy of my SSN, green card, etc. to the EI Interstate Office in Kingston, ON.

4) On September 21, 2012 I called the EI Interstate office to find out if a decision was made and I was informed that I was approved for 36 weeks of EI benefits effective September 9th.

5) Received my 1st EI payment on September 24th, exactly 1 month after moving here.

All in all a very positive experience with EI. I had to call in every 2nd Friday (always called early in the morning), leave a message on their voicemail with my SIN, telephone # and message that I was calling in my 2-week report, and I usually received a call back by 2:00 p.m. I'd do my report over the phone and my money would be in my Canadian bank account by Tuesday.

[daphoknee 4]

Anyone having problems with the Kingston office calling back? I called on Friday at 7am their time and left a message. Waited until 2:30pm and called back and left another message. My reports were due on Friday..I called and did my part but they never called back. Will I get penalized? I understand that they are slow to call back but this is getting is ridiculous, I've had nothing but slow progress with them.

[NikLR 13,220]

You won't really be penalized, they'll call back on Monday most likely and the deposit takes a day longer (wed or thurs vs tues. )

[daphoknee 4]

Thanks NLR. I got so paranoid about it. My husband called too for his just to check his status and they never called him back too. Should I call tomorrow and leave another message?

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

That is strange, they have been calling me back without fail.

[daphoknee 4]

I called again and left one message today. Not a single callback for myself or hubby..This is not right!

[NikLR 13,220]

That's really odd. I would call the normal "in Canada" number.

[JustBreathe 22]

I applied and was sent a further questionaire about why I was applying ..not sure if I am getting it or not?

[NikLR 13,220]

everyone gets the further questionnaire. I suggest scanning and faxing it back.

[daphoknee 4]

Maybe it's just me but I have had nothing but bad experiences with EI - Kingston office. They lost my ROE after I faxed it, took longer to call me back than everyone's experience and I got denied. It took a month and a half since my POE to get my denial. They say that they believe I voluntarily left my employment without just cause. I faxed them everything - I answered the questionaire truthfully, I faxed my SSN, my temporary ir1 stamp on my

Passport. I can't even remember what else I sent.

[Flames9_RN 358]

if u get denied--1 can appeal. I first got denied as since I was in the Cdn Military I had to break my contract to get out, and they gave me some reason! They give u various option to appeal, 1 was via writing and I believe the other was via phone! I went with the writing route and won

[JustBreathe 22]

i did sent the questionaire back. I know lots of people get denied. I will not be surprised either way. Just thought I would see if I could get it

[JustBreathe 22]

I got a letter today letting me know I was denied ---

We are unable to pay you any EI benefits because you voluntarily left your employment ( my ROE said relocation due to marriage)

Your status as a "non immigrant" prevents you from working in the USA as you do not possess a valid EAD, because of this you are considered not available for work.

What should I do? Should I re-apply after I file for AOS?