LOL wooooops.. dyslexia kicks in some times. i saw "social" and i immediately thought... "SSN". Question though, how long did you have to wait until you applied for EI?

Since we cant edit our posts, i'll post another question...

It says in the Canadian EI "brocher" thing, it states this:

"In order to claim regular benefits you must be capable of and available for
work, actively seeking employment in the United States and, most
importantly, be legally authorized to work in the United States."

I've heard that people are getting refused by some immigration officials when they ask for the EAD stamp at their POE, what would i do once i move to USA to get an EAD or.. to prove im "actively seeking employment"?

I tried to get around to it relatively quickly. It took about 2 weeks for my employer to send the ROE and I had asked them to send it to the US address since I knew I'd be here already. I applied about 3 weeks after finishing work. The online option was simple and they give you the appropriate address to send your ROE to in Belleville.

Correct....most K1's aren't getting the EAD stamp when entering...but that is ok. If you look back at some previous posts (especially from Flames) you'll see that EI considers us eligible for work....why I don't know precisely.

I actually got a call from EI yesterday about answering some questions about what type of VISA I entered on and the lady seemed quite knowledgable and understood that I still had to apply for the EAD (weird I know) etc....

I am worried about 1 thing....she reiterrated the usual EI mantra....you must be actively looking for work, keep a list of the employers you have applied to...blah blah blah...per week.

I actually wasn't planning on actively looking until I had received my NOA's and some time had passed...mostly because I don't want to apply and then have the company asked when I can work...my answer will be...I don't know....sounds brilliant

ANYONE ELSE THINKING THE SAME THING? There are a few companies I really like and I don't want to turn them off

I did a very generic (not at all "employable" resume) and only had my e-mail address on it. I sent it to half a dozen places (that were either places that would underpay me or were not really my area of expertise) via e-mail if possible a week. That way i did look for work and kept a log, but honestly - who's going to hire with a crappy resume and a half attempt at a resume submission? I never applied to anything I was REALLY interested in.. but then again I already had a job lined up to go to, i just had to wait for my EAD to come through first. You can still network and reach out to companies, let them know you are in the area, and will be looking for work in the next few months. No harm in that and it counts!

An excellent compromise

I know I'll get a decent response once I send out the real one....I tried going the work VISA route a couple years ago...I'm more optimistic.

With all the government contract type IT companies in the DC area, the one caveat is that many are specifying that you need clearance or US citizenship to apply.

Right.. which you could always submit a resume for the HR pile, and write on a cover letter that you are expecting your EAD in the next 3 months- at least they would have the resume on file and be anticipating your ability to work! Best of luck!

I know nothing about k1, so that info isnt from me!!! lol

Well I just got off the phone with Canada EI. Nice lady on the other end. I asked her specifically about the I-94 that they give you when you cross the border.

I said "Does the I-94 authorize me to work in the US?"

She said "Yes, the I-94 authorizes you for work in the USA. I'm not sure why they have that window where you can work for 90 days and then nothing until your EAD comes. But yes, the I-94 allows you to work for the first 90 days."

She also mentioned that if I had filed immediately after crossing the border that I could have collected EI during those 90 days (while looking for work of course).

Cliffs notes for those people new to the thread:

• I stopped working in Canada in August.
• Immigrated to US in August.
• Didn't get the 90 day EAD stamp at the border. Even asked the border agent about the 90 day stamp. He said we haven't given those out in a long time.
  
  (Actually did get work authorization as everybody gets the I-94 stapled to their passport)
  
  
• Got my ROE in October (wish it had been earlier)
• Planned on waiting until I had my EAD to apply for EI. Stumbled upon this thread and realized I should file a claim ASAP!!!
• November, applied for EI.
• Have EAD NOA1 at the moment but no actual EAD in my hand. Will be faxing my EAD to Canada EI as soon as I receive it.

She said they would be calculating my eligible weeks based on when I applied (November) rather than when I stopped working (August). This means my 2100 hours on my ROE is now about 1400 hours. So I'm looking at something like 22 weeks instead of 36 weeks. (She couldn't tell me exactly at the moment how long my benefits would last)

So file early everybody. Don't wait for anything. Even if you don't have an ROE, file anyways. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WORK IN THE USA FOR 90 DAYS! There is no trickery involved. EI knows that the I-94 is good for work.

So then do I Mark Yes or No for the question that says:

- Do you have a working visa issued by the Gov't of USA authorizing you to accept employment in the US? __________

- If you have a working visa for the US, provide your visa number and a photocopy of the front and back.

( But I didn't get the EAD at the border since I went thru Peace Bridge. )
But through Canada's eyes, is my unstamped I-94 a "working visa"??

I marked no and explained which type of Visa I came in on (K1...which theoretically allows me to work You didn't come in on a work Visa, right? So should all work out

I marked yes, since the K-1 is a working visa (at least for 90 days it is) and entered my K-1 visa number in. Sent it back along with photocopies of the K-1 and the I-94.

uh oh..

I marked no and said that I'm here on a fiancee visa... but we are allowed to work with a K1 for 90 days...

I hope that works.........

I honestly don't think the yes/no on that question makes much difference in regards to this, due to the K-1 thing. As long as you mentioned you're K-1, they know what to do.

They will most likely call you and ask you about it if they have any questions. Just talk to them about you being authorized to work and pull out the SSN document if necessary! You'll be fine.. the gals are easy to work with - just keep on 'em.. they appear to be overloaded with work!

I sent a photocopy of my SSN.... that should help I guess

It looks like I am the only one that was denied my UI when I moved from Canada. I even appealed it and she still denied it. I already had my claim open when I moved here and she told me the 1-94 was not good for work permit.

Its hard for me to believe that she has the right to tell me when I should leave Canada to get married. I left my job on May 2 and drew my check till I moved on May 24 and I had to pay that back because she told me I should have stayed at my job until closer to my August wedding.

I should have told the b$tch off. Oh well they can shove it where the sun dont shine. Worked and paid into the system for over 20 years and then cant draw what I paid into. They suck

All this makes me wonder - should i get my vacation owing to me paid out or take 3 more paychecks before applying for my EI.

Can I apply for my EI before I get my ROE? If that is the case, I'll apply the Monday of the week I get my last vacation pay.

One requires a ROE, otherwise Ei has no clue if u even qualify and for how much $$$ ur entitled to! You may be able to start the application process online, but not sure if there is info from the ROE you wil need, im sure others will chirp in. You have to mail in the original ROE as well, so make a photocopy of it for urself. Have u had ur k1 interview yet??

Interview - what's that? No, I'm just trying to get my head around some of the things that will be coming up for me. The hows and whens of them.

Apply even without the ROE (if you can). Phone them up if in doubt.

I stopped working in August but didn't get my ROE until October. My job had different paystubs every week, so kind of hard to figure out what my rate would be.

Since I didn't apply until after I got the ROE, I missed out on the 90 day K-1 period and my eligible weeks went down.

I believe ur employer by law is suppose to give ur ROE to ya in a certain time frame. Most are good at handing them out asap. Since you now know u need the ROE, give ur pay people a heads up!

does anyone know, off hand, whats the minimum number of hours required within the last 52 weeks is in order to be eligable for EI?

Lots of info here!! Google is ur friend!! lol

http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/ei/faq/faq_general.shtml

I think this is the part he is worried about
n some instances, a minimum of 910 hours in the qualifying period may be needed to qualify. For examples :

* if you are in the work force for the first time;

He has worked random part time jobs before, but not a full time job as he is now. Do those random jobs before this one count as "entering the workforce"? If they do, he will only need 700 hours, but if they don't he'll need 910.

This information is going to effect our interview date so we are trying to get it figured out.

Edit: will he need to show that he had worked in those jobs before somehow or will they automatically know that? This is assuming that they count as entering the workforce.

I have an unusual question about EI benifits. I am current on maternity leave which will expire by Jan 28th 2008 and I will have used all my 52 weeks.
Since I will be entering the US in the next week or so and not returning to work, would I still qualify for EI benefits?

havent seen that question here on VJ!! I would think not as u have used up all ur allowance. But probably best to give EI a call, they are pretty helpful

Some of the ROE's they already have electronically. If the ROE # started with I think it was a W then the numbers they have it. I'll dig the ROE out later to make sure on the letter

I spoke to the payroll clerk yesterday. She told me she would email my ROE to me as she does all of them electronically. So waiting for the mail won't hold me up. Thank goodness.

Hey folks,

How often are EI payments generated? Weekly, bi-weekly?

Also, if they payments are going directly into my account, how can I request a copy of a statement?

Thanks!

I received payments every 2 weeks. At that time they couldn't direct deposit, so I received a cheque! But I do believe they wil ldirect deposit into a Canadian acct, which of course you should be able to log on and check.

I did the direct deposit option (could take care of that online while starting the initial app)...I am excitedly waiting for my first payment..NOT

Employers MUST send you your ROE by law, I didn't find I needed it when I first applied online - nothing of significance on it...of course you must send to EI once you receive it.

Peggy....I sympathize with being denied...sounds absolutely stupid that the woman is making judgement calls, I'd love to see the actual rules where it says you have to enter the country within x amount of time...etc etc.

Cheers

just an fyi. there seems to be some major blockage in the mail between ON and NM. the hubby has only gotten 1 of the 4 sets of cards that he was supposed to get. But someone from EI called today and took his info over the phone since the cards keep getting lost. yeah for that

i was wondering why I haven't gotten anymore!

still waiting for my case to get approved with EI though anyway!

Have you talked to them lately Liz? Keep on those gals.. I called once a week until my claim got approved. I think in the end they only approved it caused I bugged them so much!

Hey guys,

after reading through the whole thread...i am confused as heck!

I must apply within 4 weeks of my last day of work. I probably will not have EAD...should I apply anyways? And what exactly is the benefit to applying in Canada prior to moving? I am so confused...i wish there was a guide on this


thanks for your help

apply from the US. For the most part, it makes it easier.

You don't need an EAD to apply

hmmm, Im not certain, but it MAY be different between a K1 and K3 when it comes to the EAD thing! I'm probbaly wrong, but thought i read on here something about that.

I think you are right...i do not get the 90 day work auth. I called EI office today and she told me to apply as soon as I am unemployed and send in the info as I get it. My main concern is that what if it takes 2 months to get EAD...it has been taking some people that long (some even longer :|).

Apply right away....you can open a claim even while waiting for things like your ROE. Online was really simple and they give you the address of where to send your ROE when you do get it.

I say apply and let them figure out whether you're entitled and to how much/ how long. They will ask the right questions either through a subsequent letter or phone call once they see that you're making a claim from outside Canada. Don't worry too much, the main thing is that you don't want to miss the window of opportunity to file for it.

I applied..knwoing that I was a K1 and technically still waiting for an EAD....they know I'm waiting for that piece of paper, but still consider me eligible. I've gotten a few sets of cards, but none since begining of Jan.

Thanks to Thermophile for mentioning the mail hold-up...I was just reading about how if I don't send back my cards by 3 weeks from the signing date, they can stop the claim! GEEZ...be nice if I had cards to sign!!!!!!! I will phone on Monday and rectify the situation...hope tey don't ask for places I've applied...I haven't been trying TOO hard...let's just say

interesting, I really assumed that the lack of cards had something to do with the fact that I'm here in the near-third world. Someone from EI called my husband and took his hours over the phone-whether that was enough info for him to get the money or not I'm not sure. EI is a bit of a sensitive subject in our house so as long as it seems to be chugging along I try not to ask too many questions. have you called and asked about the lack of cards?

Just wanted to let folks know.....I called into the Out of Canada toll free line - it was listed on the statement they sent of how they had adjudicated my claim.

Took forever to get through..all the lines were busy and the automated service wouldn't even trasnfer the call, just said to call back later. I did so a few times and finally got in the queue around 11:45. I explained that I hadn't received any cards for the weeks beyond Dec 22 so the girl took all my info over the phone, said she wasn't sure about the mail hold-up, but no problem. Today I looked at Service Canada and sure enough, I receive 4 weeks of payments this coming friday...yippee.

Moral of the story, don't hesitate to call them if something's amiss.

I did dread that she would ask where I had applied tho Luckily she didn't...I need to get on that................

so glad I do not have to fill out cards for parental benefits.

They are actually answering phone calls now.. not asking you to leave a message??

Apply as soon as you cross the border regardless of the EAD situation. I've been in the US since summer 2007. Still don't have an EAD. But at least I'm in the EI system sending in my cards every so often.

they're still reviewing my case because I may have quit too many jobs!!

agh

hi everyone,

I'm totally confused!!LOL I've read everything here and my head is still spinning.

Ok.. here goes. I moved to the U.S. on Jan 12 of this year(on a K-1) I got married on the 18th(YAY me!!) haha and I applied for E.I on the 21st. They just sent me a letter asking my citizenship and for my EAD number which I don't have yet..so naturally I called and they said blah blah..maybe you need it you maybe you don't....depends on who reviews your case... did I do something wrong when filling out the application? I'm feeling a bit like I am about to be bitten right in the butt! I haven't filled this out and sent it back yet... Is this usual? this letter?

Thanx in advance

Shawna

With the K1 they know you can seek work for 90 days. When I filed they wanted a copy of my I-94, my A#, my passport and the activated Visa



Also I answered a lot of thier questions over the phone

Yes - EI is confused I have the same situation as your's...no clue why they asked what my citizenship was,,,cuz DUH, I just sent you my ROE (which showed I worked in Canada and they have my SIN #.

I would call since it's faster. I made photocopiues of my passport and I94 etc...and faxed them to the person I spoke to.

Good luck. I think they're just ensuring they've asked all the questions

I think for EAD number, I just put down the K-1 visa number. Not really sure. In any regards, just add a separate sheet of paper saying you're a K-1 visa holder and send in a copy of your K-1 and I-94 (front and back). Should be good to go.

Does the telephone service work for sending in claims? I've noticed the internet option doesn't work in the US, but when I tried to send my card info in through the phone it said it was disconnected.