Okay, so someone moved my paperwork rant from this Form, but this particular rant belongs in CDN thread, so I have a couple of issues here and was wondering if someone could help. I am calling the Out of Country Claims office as well.

I was approved a few weeks ago for EI. They asked for my proof that i had applied for EAD (which I faxed), then a few days later my first 2 months of cards came. I signed them, filled them out and sent them back. I recieved word on my E-Pass site on Friday that they had recieved the cards and were processing them. Then tonite I get the message that they were all entered and my NET pay out was 0$.


Report Covering Period Date Report Processed Net Amount Paid Reprocessed Report
March 18, 2007 to March 31, 2007 April 15, 2007 $0 No
March 04, 2007 to March 17, 2007 April 15, 2007 $0 No
February 18, 2007 to March 03, 2007 April 15, 2007 $0 No
February 04, 2007 to February 17, 2007 April 15, 2007 $0 No


WTF? How could I have waited 2 1/2 months, paid into the system for YEARS - NEVER drawn EVER in my life and my net pay out for the 5 weeks that i WAS elligible be 0$?

I can't tell you how angry I am right now. We have been counting on this money for weeks and now it appears to be non-existant. What is going on? Any clues my fellow CDNS?

WTF? Your ROE indicates you're totally eligible right?

Relocation for Marraige - that's what it states. Totally the right statement and a lady at the EI office told me that I was approved for benefits 3-4 weeks ago.

Weird. I guess a call to them is in order.

Or wait a second... Doesn't the first 2 periods count as no payment or something and then you get money after that?

But there are 4- 2 week periods listed above- totalling 2 full months. I think the waiting period is only 3 weeks - geepers.

I have no idea what the waiting period is as I've never filed for EI before. I guess make a call to them first thing in the morning and they can sort this out for you. Good luck and let us know what happens!

Thanks misa.. the call is already in there.. the wait begins.. i pity the person who gets the message cause i sounded royally miffed off.

Normally there is a 2 week waiting period. Your first payment is usually for a single week which would be week 3
After that all other payments are on a 2 week interval basis

Be sure and follow up - you know somebody messed up somewhere! I can only guess at how frustrated you are at the whole thing. You'd think that you were asking them for a favour. Good luck to you. Try not to strangle anyone.

Mo

I do belive there is a 2 week waiting period, plus if one got severence $$$ that may becoem a factor as well. I'm sure if u call them, they can assist you. They were great when I called.

No severance.. nada..

And yep.. I'm just frustrated.. it's a simple case, that they said was approved. why would they approve it when they weren't going to give me any $$? GAH.. Anyway the call is made I just wanted to make sure that someone else didn't get an "approval without money" the Newest EI Program. Wouldn't surprise me at all

U get approved, but the $$$$ goes to some wealthy politician to pay for his summer vacation!!

well I sure hope I don't have any hassle with my EI...I registered online 4 April, today in the mail I just received
from EI a 6 question form regarding my out of country status. I will mail the form tomorrow, but decided to send
along a copy of my NOA1 receipt for proof EAD application status.

wish me luck...LOL

Dancer - Good luck! They are nice at the office - I'll keep you updated for sure

Relax...

I don't believe International Cases are completely processed on e-cas... My guess is that it's nothing and you'll be getting your checks in short order...

I thought about that as well Zyggy; however the lady I spoke to at Out of Country Claims said that that's where I'd find all the information about my claim. She told me how to log in and what to look for. That's the only reason I know what I know - otherwise I'd be in sweetly and completely in the dark about the zero payments.

Relaxing is hard to do when you haven't had income for 2 1/2 months, you know that as well as I do

Emancipation, not trying to threadjack, but one quick question. Does EI only need a copy of the NOA1 for the EAD or do they actually need proof of approval? I filed online last week and mailed them my ROE. It won't be in the system yet but I expect my NOA1 in about a week.

She asked me specifically for my proof of having applied for AOS and EAD. SHe didn't say to forward the approval as well, but I would say that after my inital 90 days i would have to supply proof of EAD in order to get any more cards. I was just going to do that automatically.

No threadjacking here.. anything I can input to help anyone else.. GOV is one of those crazy obstacle courses.

Thanks! I'll be sure to forward my NOA1s for AOS & EAD when I get them.

So Here's the answer to the "EI Issue" I've been having.

The lady that told me a few weeks ago that I was "approved" failed to mention that once I submitted proof of Work Authorization I was approved. She asked for my proof that I had applied for permant Work authorization and seemed to be familiar enough with the K-1 process that she was approving based on the K-1 status and that the claim HAD been approved not on the basis of recieving proof of work authorization. The cards are sent out automatically (not because you are approved), and I just haven't recieved my "denial letter". This is classic EI stuff with K-1 Visa - the same issue AJMC ran into in this thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=53246&hl=

SO.. back to the drawing board for me to send them a copy of the SSA document that Zyggy suggests in this thread and fight for the money that I have paid in. Petty stupid Gov games.

The lady said.. some have work authorized stamped on them some don't, send us what you have again.

My frustration is .. don't send out the freaking cards if you are not going to approve the claim. HONESTLY!

Just recieved this post on my Service Canada Site:

***We have received new information on your claim but have not yet made a decision. We will make every effort to review this information by May 10, 2007.***

Nice one..

Anyway for anyone who is planning on applying here's what i suggest (for K-1'ers)

- Copy of ROE
- Copy of I-94
- Copy of Marraige Licence
- Copy of NOA for EAD & AOS
- Copy of SSA "Work Authorization" statements listed With Applicable sections CLEARLY marked.
- Good luck

hmmmmm....I am a K3er

I just received my cards will sign and send back manana!

I previously sent my NOA1 and my transfer notice, I hope thats good enough for
there claim approval dept...if not I am sure I will hear about...LOL

does anyone know what the maximum time you can collect EI?

max time I belive is 36 weeks ( 9 months!!)

That's all i was approved for - don't know if there is anything higher though:)

Dancer - hope it goes well for you They are nice at the office (cept the 2nd lady I talked to) perhaps I'm just very stupid having never filed in my life. Those that use the system know the system? I dunno.

Let me know how your claim goes since I'm also a K3er. I haven't received my NOA1 yet from USCIS but I will send it to EI the second I get it. I already started my claim online and mailed them my ROE last week.

Ugh. I have the same EI frustration. I had no problem being approved.... K1 beneficiary.... sent in the proof... received all the report cards.... filled them out and returned them... then nothing. No cheques. No deposits. No further report cards. No denial. In my case, I did work remotely for my former employer for a while, but that tapered off as they adjusted to my absence. And I did report it, so it's not as if I'm trying to scam them.

I think what grates the most is the decades spent paying into Employment "Insurance" then having to fight for it when it's needed. Ironically, after going through this whole visa process, these speedbumps don't surprise me.

Good luck to everyone filing.

Ei can be a bit frustarting. Iwas actually flat out denied at first!! I was in the Air Force and broke my contract to get out, they said that that was different from the civilian sector quitting their jobs!!! One can challenge it; I had to write a long letter explaining my situation, it went to a judge, and he actually still denied it, but the EI lady said she overturned his decision!! Whewww,lol One can actuallyattend the hearing, attend via phone, or just send in the ltter with the proper paperwork to appeal. I just sent in th eletter/paperwork

I guess some of my frustration is that everything is on "wait and see" mode.. EI, AOS, LIFE IN GENERAL until all these issues get sorted out. Plus I struggle with being self supportive for so long and now I'm in a strange country without daily work, and it's all a bit much..
SO I'm kinda like EI g'imme my friggin' money!

You K-3's are different.. you actually DO have to wait for the EAD before you can collect EI... Sorry, but NOA's aren't going to cut it for you..

That's what I thought. I guess I'll just wait for the approval!

You hit the nail on the head, Emancipation. Couple that with having to leave everything behind then trying to establish a new identity in the US, it does get tiresome. In fact, that's one of the suggestions we should give to the newbies.... purchase a sturdy folder and carry it with you at all times. Place inside copies and originals of all NOA's, marriage certificates, SSN cards, passports, residency cards, travel documents, etc. Be prepared to prove you exist but to be denied at every step because no one knows the rules except you. And be nice.

Thanks for that encouragement KriKit.. i appreciate it.. this week I've been so close to a breakdown. Now the sun's back, i'm feeling more positive. Your words helped too

Awwww. Anytime, sweetie. Been there, got the t-shirt. My poor husband's got the battlescars to prove it too. I remember standing in the shower crying my heart out one day. I had just hung up the phone with the customer service department of our (joint) bank who wouldn't help me because I didn't have the last 4 digits of my SSN to give him. (I had yet to receive it.) When the guy asked for my husband's SSN and birth date I mixed up the year and my husband was like "You don't know what YEAR I was born?!!!" That was the last straw. I quietly hung up the phone, closed the bedroom and bathroom doors, turned on the shower, and wept. Until then, my husband had no idea how each, seemingly minor, obstacle had been building up into a wall which I was beginning to feel I would never be able to climb. It's the adjustment phase, and it passes. Feel free to PM me any time, Michelle. You are not alone.

Krikit,

Thanks for extending your sympathetic heart and hand to my wife. I see the frustration and anger she feels at the paperwork issues going on on both sides of the border and there isn't really much I can do except do my best at listening and just giving her the room she needs to express her frustrations. You are someone she can really relate to because you have gone through this already. Thanks for being her friend..it means a lot to me.

I love you baby.. no one else I'd be on this journey with.

Awwww. You both brought tears to my eyes. Thank you. Your husband is so sweet, Michelle. I can see why you married him.

Hang in there, kid. You're still raw from the transition. Eventually, you'll develop a thick skin and these bumps in the road will be behind you.

All the best.

I really am blessed Kritkit.. beyond words...

One who has been through a very painful 1st marriage and survived.. I have been blessed with a hubby who is gentle, caring, and listens to all my whining.. He is God's best for me I believe!

OOPS forgot to mention that I got another card in the mail last night. One for first 2 weeks in April. I filled it out and stuffed it/slammed it in the mail box... Felt good

My best guess is i'm not approved, but I'm not denied either so they are keeping the cards a comin'... They have my new "evidence" and hopefully that will straighten everything out. I half expected a phone call from them the end of this week to give it to me about the SSA papers but nothing as of now. We'll just have to wait and see.. We all know you can't rush GOV paperwork.


The Service Canada Website helps btw you need your 4 digit access code from your cards to get there.. I can check that as frequently as I want to and it will let me know when they have made a decision. it is updated early evenings Sunday - Thursday. It also shows payments issued.. (that's all i care about really )

YAH THATS MY PROBLEM...MY EAD IS HOLDING ME UP FROM COLLECTING MY $$$ MY 90 DAYS ARE COMING UP FAST!
HOPEFULLY I CAN GET SOMEBODIES ATTENTION AT THAT TIME!

Yeah, I just got the sheet from EI asking me a few questions including asking me to submit a photocopy of my EAD which I don't have yet. Hopefully you'll get your approval soon!

Hi.......... just wondering ....... how did you answer question 4, Were you ready, willing and capable of working each day?
I just got my first batch of reporting cards starting from March 4 up to April 14th..... I want to send them back in the mail tomorrow but not sure how to answer that one. I was thinking I would just check "yes".... I am willing, able and capable..... just not allowed to....... seems kinda weird. I got my 4 digit access code today too and was wondering what exactly is the website you speak of to check the progress of things on?

I was reading some of the other messages on this thread about life being tough, the tears and all..... the transition....... I just wanted to let everyone know I'm glad they posted these things about feelings as I am having a really tough time starting the last week or two. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that feels like this. I'm sure my hubby thinks I don't love him and just want to go back to Canada. Right now if I could take him with me and go back my world would seem %500 wonderful. I feel like I'm just hanging in limbo.... like my life has stopped and it seems like it's never going to be back on track again....thinking I should own shares in the Kleenex comany...... No job, no money of my own, no car, no friends,what feels like no identity....no family........ I really miss my daughter, son-in-law and especially my 2 year old grand daughter....... and on top of it all.... I sit here alone while hubby is at work watching tornado watches and warnings on the local TV station........ geesh...... snow never killed mass numbers of people at once! Well I guess that's it for my venting for now...... thanks to everyone on this board!

Susan in Tulsa,OK

Susan,

The address for the EI site is www.servicecanada.ca Press English then Look for the Employment button on the left - click it then look on the right to "View and Update your EI information" That will ask for your SIN, DOB, Access code (4 digits) and your Province - Out of state claims is always ON (Ontario)

I did put ready, willing and able to work. Cause you are.. According to CDN rules (you are work authorized) - but by US rules you ain't .. crazy I know, but its the circus we now live in called Gov. Paperwork..

Just remember to keep a list of at least 3 contacts/week you've made in regards to employment - I basically did up a resume and started e-mailing it out to everyplace i could find in the local papers. EI could ask for that so it's good to have it ready

And thank YOU for sharing your thoughts and struggles. I totally identify with what you are saying.. it is so incredibly difficult to say goodbye to everyone, and start all over again. It's like you are 18 all over again starting out fresh, although you KNOW you're not 18 anymore.. and I HATED high school.. *sigh.. know you are not alone, and this bit is hard.. I keep running into others who have been through their first year and a bit and they say it gets better.. I'm trusting that. If your hubby is like mine, he's patient and understanding, lets me vent and cry and curse his governement and still loves me. I am blessed to have him on this journey with me. Without my man I could not do this.. VENT away.. I need to vent too, just glad to have this forum to do some of it in !!

You have a daughter back home and a grandchild... that must be so so hard.. our thoughts are with you as you adjust.

Thank you for your prompt reply and information. I will check out the website right away and get registered on it. My hubby is very patient and understanding, just holds me when I cry....... he feels bad because he can't really do much for me other than let me know he loves me and is here for me....... actually I have 3 daughters back in Alberta, they are all married but only one lived in Calgary where I lived so I saw her all the time so the seperation is harder than with my other two daughters who haven't lived in the close vicinity to me for a couple of years. I am so greatful for this board also, it's a small world afterall......
One plus of living in the US is I can vote for American Idol!

Take Care,

Susan in Tulsa, OK

I hear ya. Take a look at my location. LOL


LOL. That's funny.



Thanks for speaking for me, Michelle. Our thoughts are definitely with you, Susan.

Believe me, Susan, it won't take long until you adjust. You will go back to Canada for a visit and think "I can't WAIT till I get home." Home is where your heart is. Right now, your heart is torn. But when you isolate who needs you most.... and where you would rather be.... your husband will win out. Your daugher has her husband and child. You have your husband. You will always be able to visit one another, and that will make seeing one another even more special.

This is not to say that your feelings aren't valid. They certainly are. But everyone will adjust and life will go on. Darn. I sure wish we all lived closer. We could have our own little "I'm Sad... Are You Sad?" club. We could all get together at various donut shops until we find a good one and then vent to our heart's content. LOL

Thank you for your understanding and kind words............ very much appreciated. I hear you on the donut shop thing..... I can hear the shop owners........."here come those Canadian girls, eh"....... LOL
I'm off tomorrow for my Biometrics appointment in Oklahoma City........ the change of scenery will be nice.

Excellent!! Have fun.. that feels so much like progress when you go for your biometrics!! Remember no hand cream tomorrow am!!

Did I mention that I messed up the appt. time.. I checked it 3-4 times and then I STILL had it wrong GAH! I managed to get there on time, but not before I ran around my apt. swearing and trying to find my purse and tear out the door!!

See now. I made that mistake so you will be there in LOADS of time

Alrighty, maybe someone can enlighten me. I'm on a K3 so I am not employment authorised until I receive my EAD. I applied for EI a little while ago since I know it's best to get into the system as soon as possible.

I received 2 things in the mail this week:

1. form asking me specific questions about my status in the U.S. and also asking for proof of employment authorisation
2. in a separate mailing I got my first set of cards

I know I can't send back the form until I get my EAD. Or should I send it back saying EAD is pending?

What do I do about the cards? Do I fill them out and send them back but indicating that I was not able to work during that time?

Also, does that mean my benefits only start when I get my EAD or does it go back to the start of my claim when I submit proof of employment authorisation?

Bumping for Misa..

Gah.. I wish I had some answers for you.. the only thing I know to do is to call them and outright ask them what you should do.. Sorry.. I'm just lost in all this EI crap

Heh! Thanks!

Yeah, I will give them a call on Monday. I guess not too many K3s go through this.

Hopefully yours and everyone's EI issues will be resolved soon!

You have to return your EI cards each time you receive them in order to keep your claim active.