To begin claiming EI, Canadians will need to accumulate 420 to 700 hours of work in the 52 weeks prior to their claim, depending on the unemployment rate in the region where they live. That’s a significant drop from the current minimum of 910 hours.
The waiting period for EI claimants before they start receiving benefits is currently two weeks. It will be reduced to one week.
The duration of EI regular benefits will be extended by five weeks, up to a maximum of 50 weeks of benefits, but only for eligible claimants in the 12 economic regions with the sharpest increases in unemployment.
A ‘Working While on Claim’ pilot project will be extended to 2018. The pilot project allows people to keep 50 cents of their EI benefits for every dollar they earn.
Requirements for claimants to accept lower pay and longer commuting times the longer they rely on EI will be eliminated. Claimants will still need to conduct job search activities and accept suitable employment while on EI, however.
The waiting period for EI claimants before they start receiving benefits is currently two weeks. It will be reduced to one week.
The duration of EI regular benefits will be extended by five weeks, up to a maximum of 50 weeks of benefits, but only for eligible claimants in the 12 economic regions with the sharpest increases in unemployment.
A ‘Working While on Claim’ pilot project will be extended to 2018. The pilot project allows people to keep 50 cents of their EI benefits for every dollar they earn.
Requirements for claimants to accept lower pay and longer commuting times the longer they rely on EI will be eliminated. Claimants will still need to conduct job search activities and accept suitable employment while on EI, however.