4. Apply for EI benefits

Even if you're not sure that you'll qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, it is still a good idea to apply.

Be sure to apply as soon as you have at least 7 days without work or pay.

If you wait more than 4 weeks to apply, it may be harder to get approved for EI. If you're approved, you might get less money. This is because there will be a large period of time where you have no hours worked and no money earned.

If you can show there was a good reason why you could not apply within 4 weeks, Service Canada might accept your application as though it was filed right away. This is called an “antedate”.

To get your application antedated, you must file an Application to Antedate Claim for Benefit. In the form, you should explain why you could not file your application on time. You should also show that you did what a reasonable person would have done to figure out the rules and apply on time.

Apply to Service Canada

To apply for EI benefits you must fill out an application online. If you don't have internet access at home, you can apply at:

• a Service Canada Office using one of their internet kiosks, or
• at a public internet access site like a library.

Before you go to the Service Canada Office in your area, you should call to find out if you need to make an appointment. If you don't speak English or French, bring someone who can translate for you.

If you quit your job, you'll have to provide some additional information and details including:

• why you quit
• what you did to try to fix the problem at work before you left
• if you tried to get other work before you quit

Service Canada staff might interview you by phone or in person. They may also contact your employer. Then they'll decide if you quit with just cause.

If they decide that you quit without just cause, they'll send you a letter that says you're “disqualified” from receiving regular EI benefits. But you might still be eligible for special benefits like:

• Sickness benefits if you're unable to work because of illness, injury, or quarantine.
• Maternity benefits if you're pregnant or have recently given birth.
• Parental benefits if you're a parent and are caring for a newborn child or a child you recently adopted.
• Compassionate care benefits if you need time off work to provide care or support to a family member who could die in the next 6 months.
• Family caregiver benefit for children or adults if you need time off work to provide care or support to your critically ill child or adult family member.

If you're denied EI, you might be able to appeal that decision. To appeal means to ask for a different decision. To appeal, you must send a request to Service Canada in writing within 30 days.