Bulletin
Bonny’s Taxi – COVID-19 – Applying for EI Benefits – Update #3 – March 26
March 26, 2020
To: All MoveUP members at Bonny's Taxi
MoveUP wants to ensure members have the most up to date information. Provided below is important information on How to apply for Employment Insurance Benefits.
Apply as soon as possible after you stop working.
Scenario 1 – You are under isolation or quarantine: Apply to EI NOW as SICK BENEFITS.
Scenario 2 – You are laid off from work due to shortage of work due to COVID-19 – Apply for EI NOW under Regular EI benefits – Shortage of Work
Scenario 3 – You are laid off from work due to your place of business closing due to COVID-19 – Apply for EI NOW under Regular EI Benefits – Involuntary Leave
Scenario 4 – You are NOT ELIGIBLE for EI benefits but want to apply for the new Package announced for those not eligible for EI – you must wait until this passes the House of Commons – which should be by April and applications and money will flow by May. You will be given application instructions once the applications are approved for production. Legislation passed this morning and the changes are expected to be complete by April 6. Members should apply on April 6 unless they are nearing the 30 day deadline.
Access codes
If you are asked for an access code and you don’t have one, it takes about a week for the access code to be mailed to you. There is no workaround for that at the moment.
Workers can also now have the one-week waiting period waived by calling 1-833-381-2725. People can also apply in person at a Service Canada location, but the government is advising those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to remain at home.
In order to start the application, visit:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/apply.html
1. Gather supporting documents– You must have your records of employment (ROEs), but a medical certificate won’t be necessary for those who have been asked to self-isolate or quarantine. Service Canada advises people to apply right away even if you don’t have these documents as you can send them in later.
2. Complete the online application-
Make sure you have the following information to complete your application:
- the names and addresses of your employers in the last 52 weeks
- the dates you were employed with each employer and the reasons you’re no longer employed with them
- your detailed explanation of the facts if you quit or were dismissed from any job in the last 52 weeks
- your full mailing address and your home address, if they are different
- your social insurance number (SIN)
- your mother’s maiden name
- your banking information, including financial institution, branch (transit) number and your account number, to sign up for direct deposit
The online application takes about an hour to complete. Your information is saved for 72 hours (3 days) from the time you start. If you don’t complete the application, you can come back to it later using a temporary password that you receive when you start your application.
If you don’t complete the application within 72 hours, it will be deleted and you’ll have to start a new application.
3. Provide supporting documents – You can visit My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to view ROEs that have been issued to you by past and current employers. If you do not have an account you can sign up.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/my-account.html
4. Receive access code by mail–Receiving the EI benefit statement doesn’t mean that Service Canada has made a decision about your claim.
5. Review your application status
To check the progress of your application, you can:
- Log into MSCA
- Contact Service Canada
- Once your application is complete,
- Service Canada will mail you a benefit statement. This statement will
- Include a 4-digit access code. You need this code and your SIN to inquire
- About your application and to complete biweekly reports.
- If you haven’t registered with MSCA, you can create an account when you
- Receive your benefit statement and access code.
The same applies for Employment Insurance regular benefits, members who did not have enough hours to qualify before the changes should still apply but may want to ensure that the legislation has passed regarding the change in hours to qualify which is expected to be completed by mid April. If you were laid off and the 4 weeks is approaching apply so you do not miss the deadline.
In Solidarity,
Shawn Lakusta, Union Representative
Christy Slusarenko, Vice-President of Combined Units