I got my SSN today, just a little over a week after I applied. It is stamped that it is valid for work only with DHS authorization.
Also got a request from Canada to provide working visa number in order to collect my EI. Since I still don't have EAD, I guess I am not going to receive anything from Canadian Government.
Does anyone know if a person can re apply for Canadian EI once EAD is recevied?
Thanks
Senka

In theory, you can work on a K1 Visa.. So, what the heck. Anyone tried it???

good luck

When i applied for my Canada EI all i sent in was my i-94 my K-1 visa ( photo copies ) and i recieved EI with no problems, also when the lady that was on my case told me once i recieve my EAD to photo copy it and send that in as well...Oh also sent in a photo copy of my application for my EAD just to prove that i did apply for it..

Crissy

I also sent photocopies, but apparently they want working authorization number now. That is so dissapointing, since I worked in Canada for 12 years and paid taxes and EI contributions.

What is Canadian EI?

You might want to take a look at the U.S./Canada Social Security agreement:

http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement...ets/canada.html

If you have questions the agreement, contact the Social Security Administration's Office of International Programs. Call (410) 965-0144 if you have questions on benefits under the agreements. For questions on the coverage rules of the agreements, call (410) 965-3549 or (410) 965-7386.

This is useful information for retirement benefits, but it doesn't address Employment Insurance benefits. I didn't know I qualified for EI either when I moved here 2 years ago, so I guess I missed out too.

Me too, except for sending in a copy of the EAD application. I might do that since my K1 expires on Aug 12, cutting off the EI and my AOS interview is Aug 22 which should re-activate it, hopefully there won't be too much of a gap.

OP, did you read the pinned EI topic at the top of this section? There's a lot of info in there, and a # you can call for out of state claims, do not speak to the general EI operators.

Your SSN # has nothing to do with Canada.

Did you get your EI with a copy of EAD aplication or they asked for approved EAD card?
Thanks.

I'm not sure if mu info can be of any help, but regardless of if you have your K1 or are into Adjustment you need an EAD to be eligible for EI.

I called the lady in Belleville is it? not too long ago. Just like in Canada you must be able to legally work and be actively looking before you can be eligible to collect EI.

Here, in the US, on a K1, that would require you to have an EAD, the actual card, before you could submit to collect for EI.

By the time I got my EAD I had solidified a job so I never applied, but I did look into it, and during those 3-4 months I was waiting for my EAD, I could not collect EI.
I know that's not the greatest answer seeing as everyone is so hard up for cash during that stage but that's my experience and I think it makes sense-even if it stinks. lol

Unless they changed the rules since I applied for EI in April, I did not need an EAD to receive EI.

We also have been able to receive EI without our EAD.

Dave faxed his I-94 and Visa to them about a month ago.

We got a full EI check just this past week, for the past two weeks. Don't really know how we started getting it without the EAD.

I was cr-1 so my situation was different with regards to EI. But it shouldn't be that much of a suprise (yes frustrating) that some are able to get it without an EAD, while ohters can't. I recall talking to an EI guy on the phone and he started to yip about not getting $$ until I got an EAD (which i didnt need) One could trying contacting them again to see if one gets a different answer. It sort of makes sense that one should not be able to get EI, unless your able tyo legaaly work, I dont think you can get it in Canada if your unable to work, but I may be wrong, I never took EI in Canada, and wasnt aware one could get EI in the USA, but luckily Cassie on VJ showed me the way!! I got it for the maximum time and never received a call from them regarding if I was looking for work. I did get denied at first, but successfully appealed it. blah blah blah. Best of luck

Thanks Scott,

I am still not refused, but it looks like I will be as they sent me a form requesting EAD copy or working visa number. So, I would greatly appreciate if you could help me on how to appeal or give me Cassie's user ID so I can ask the question.
Senka

That's great, I am happy for you! It didn't work for me, I also faxed them I-94 and Visa. I guess it all depends on who is processing the case, so you may consider yourself lucky.

Ok help me out here as I am a little confused....

I understand so far that as a working canadian citizen, I qualify for EI in the USA cause I am "moving in anticipation of a marriage". GREAT!

According to the EI Canada website, I should apply within 4 weeks of my last day of work (and after getting my record of employment -ROE), and I assume only AFTER I have moved to the US, cause I need to send them a copy of my K-1 and I-94. Correct?

Well, what happens if I don't have an EAD to send them (cause it could take 90+days to get). On the USCIS website it specifically says that K-1 are eligible to work on a K-1. Do you send them a copy of the USCIS website saying.... "see, I am ELIGIBLE to work without an EAD"

It's just kind of confusing cause some people say they didn't need EAD to get EI and others say otherwise, what is really the policy on this???

I was a cr-1 which doesnt require an EAD, so my situation was different. When they denied me at first, they sent along an appeal form, but you have not been denied, so I can't assist much more, sorry!! I would assume not many Cdns know when they leave canada to reside with a spouse, that they may qualify for EI, so I would also assume not many gov't workers know how to properly deal with it. Best of luck

I thought I would add this link I found in the pinned section of working and travelling in the US:

https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/36f...b4?OpenDocument

It specifically states that K-1 only need an I-94 to work. However, K-3 need EAD. I'm gonna send this to EI when I apply so that they know and hopefully they won't give me a hard time. I realize that I'll still have to apply for EAD with my AOS after I get married though. Hmmmm, how would that work? You can work for 90 days until K-1 expires but then you have to apply for EAD and that takes about 3 months so can't work during then? This makes no sense...why bother only working for a few months?

Anyway, hope this link helps.

Did Dave need his american SSN before he started to request Canadian EI ??

Once again what is Canadian EI?

EI is Employment Insurance... Us Canadians pay big time into this every year from our paycheck

Is it something like an unemployment benefit?

Yup that is correct. It used to be called Unemployment insurance but they changed it to the politically correct term of Employment Insurance.

Some for my little mind, if you come to the U.S. and can show you are authorized to work and don't have a job you can collect the benefit?

If you come to the USA for/because of marriage, yes, you can collect EI. You must show you are actively seeking employment if they ask for it. Once you start working and earning a certain amount you must tell them and the benefits will stop. I think I'm allowed to earn $88 without penalty.

Yep, one must have enough qualified hours back in Canada to be able to get it in the USA, Depending how many hrs and how much you made in Canada all figures in how much and how long one can get EI in the USA. the max time I believe is 36 weeks and the max amt of $$$ one can get each month slips my mind. One has to actively be looking for work in the USA, they can call you up and ask for proof. Every two weeks they send you time sheets to fill out, very basic and easy to fill out.

The max you can receive is $413/week on EI. After taxes and then exchange rate, not much left but certainly better than nothing!!! I'll definitely be applying!

I got the max, and I think it was around $1000 usd a month after taxes and the exchange rate at the time.

Sorry, we've been a bit crazy :-) Haven't gotten to reply!

Dave has his SSN at this point, and I do believe they asked for the number at some point.

Honestly, I think it all depends on who processes it on when the benefits will start.