This is the new Canuck EI Thread, taking up where the former forum left off. The archived thread can be found here:

Old Forum Canuck EI Thread

Any continued discussion should be in this thread.

After reading through the old thread I just want to make sure I have this right...

- My last day of work will be March 24, moving on March 30
- The payroll dept will have my ROE ready on that day. She will put 'Quit' and then 'Relocation for Anticipated Marriage' in the comments section
- I apply online (do I do this before I move or after?)
- Send in copy of K1 Visa/I94/ROE

Am I doing good so far?

Yes for all... and you can do it before you leave... just be sure that you put in the address where you will be in the US.

You should send the original ROE (keep a copy for yourself). Also send a copy of the marriage certificate to show the anticipated marriage actually happened.

Thanks!
And now for the tricky part...
Has anyone filed using their green card/I-551 stamp instead of their EAD?

I'm very lucky to be going through the San Antonio office, which takes 2-4 months for an AOS interview. I will not be applying for my EAD because of this.

You should apply within 4 weeks after leaving work and send the supporting documents later, when you have them.

contact the Residents out of Canada office in Belleville...you might save some time there...I changed my address online as I had filed previous to leaving and that slowed things down added to the fact that my file also had to be transferred. I'm not sure if you can file online then.

I thought the same thing 'cus we went through San Antonio - We finally got our appointment a year later when I made an infopass appointment enquiring why we were STILL waiting.

Good Luck hope you don't have any problems.

I applied online from the USA. I called the EI 1-800 #, talked to a EI rep, gave them my email addy, and they sent me instructions on how to fill out the application from the USA. Thier computer software does not rcognize a USA address so on section of the online form that asked for my last CDn address I had to put doen 1N. Front St. Box 4800, Belleville, ON K8N 5E2. But that was back in Jan 2005 and things may have changed!!

Phone #'s to reach EI are Toll free - 1877-486-1650 and not free-613-969-3479 or 613-969-3482

my EI T4E arrived today!!

I've been reading this info and my head hurts!

I'm confused about something.... in order to qualify for EI, you best apply soon after arriving, right? But you also need to be authorized to work in order to apply. But EAD's can take up to 90 days to get....

what am I missing here? The answer is obvous and I am just not getting it, right?

(I'm trying to figure out if I should quit my job (and try for EI) or take a year of absence and keep the job security should we decide to move here... no point quitting if I an't get EI...)

See my comments on this on page 10 of the old forum thread:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums2/index.p...ic=33210&st=135

In short, apply for EI so you're in the system. They allow for the fact that you cannot legally work in the US, but in order to ensure you get the maximum weeks (or in some cases the weeks that you need to qualify for the benefits) you need to submit your info.

You can always call them to clarify what you need to do. They're pretty helpful.

edit: And it's correct that you can't collect EI until you have your EAD. In my case the very very nice case worker backdated my application to the day I left Canada (about 6 months before my EAD) so I'd get benefits at all.

First off I was surprised to read that I am eligible to collect EI when I move down to the USA.

I understand from reading on VJ that it is good to get the claim going prior to leaving Canada .. I have a few questions regarding this.


1) Even if you started your claim in Canada before you left, you need your EAD before you can start collecting this money right ??

2) Once you get your EAD you send a copy to EI and you start collecting from the date on your EAD and not the day you opened your claim back in Canada (which could be 2-3 months prior) ??

3) You are eligible to for a maximum of 36 weeks or until you find a job ??

4) So in a sence EI is only useful for the time were you are eiligle to work in the US and are actively looking for employment there ??

Sorry to ask some stupid questions here as I don't have any experience in claiming EI ... I have been lucky enough to have the same job for 16 years since I was 19 years old right out of college ...

Thank you in advance ...

Correct. You're on a K1 like I was...so essentially because on a K1 you *can* get your EAD when you cross the border, they consider you eligible to work. That is regardless of whether or not you actually *get* the document. I didn't, so was ineligible to work, so didn't apply. It almost cost me my benefits altogether. I would suggest that you call the toll free number posted above (I think flames9 posted it) and review your exact situation with them for timing.



One of the questions you answer on the weekly timecard you send back to EI is if you were able and willing to work. Without an EAD you are unable to work. Again, because I kind of did mine backwards, I'd ask HRDC *exactly* what you need to file when.



The amount you are paid and for how long is dependent on how much salary you were paid in a specific amount of weeks prior to not being employed. In my case, I was eligible for maximum $$ benefits but for 22 weeks total. I received 8 weeks of benefits before I started a full time job.



Yes. Although as I said above, there's some weirdness about the K1...HRDC considers you eligible based on the K1 'theory' but in practice not every POE gives an EAD stamp when processing your K1. So if I were you I'd call and ask, using exact dates (if you have them) of when you're stopping work, when you're moving to the US, and what will happen if you get your EAD from the POE and you have work stoppage or if you don't get your EAD until after you marry and are adjusting status.

Hope that helps.

Wooo! I got my first set of report cards! One is for 2 weeks, March 26 - April 8, the other is for 1 week, April 9 - 15. Is this normal? There was a pamphlet type insert with the cards saying that some cards will be for 2 weeks, some will be for 1 but I thought I'd double check.

They also sent me a form letter requesting more info, asking if I was a US Citizen, if I entered on a work Visa and if I was a Canadian Citizen, did everyone get this letter as well?

I applied online as a K1 and sent off my ROE and copy of passport pages last week. Also, do I send them a copy of the marriage certificate?

Yeah.. the run on a set 2 week cycle.. if your begin date was in the middle of the cycle, you'll get a card for the time you had within that two week cycle..

And we got the letter asking for more info as well. Sent them a copy of the K1 visa and I-94. Once we had the EAD, we subsequently sent them a copy of the EAD as well.

You'll get a letter telling you that they will approve the EI payments until the K1 expires and ask you to send them the EAD if you need them to continue..

How do you fill out question 4 on the back of the report cards?

Were you ready, willing and capable of working each day? If "no" give date(s) and reason(s) below. Complete E on side 2 if applicable.

I'm ready willing and capable, but not allowed

I get my first payment on Monday
It's not much after the 25% tax and converting it to US$, but we'll take it.

I just called Employement Insurance to get some information. Not sure if it was mentioned in this forum, but at least it will be redundant if it was.

She said that when you claim EI when your last work was in Canada and you moved to the US to be with your spouse, they call this "interstate claims". You can get some information on this page (didn't get a chance to read it yet) http://www1.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/ei/info...de_canada.shtml.

You have 4 weeks to file a claim for EI after your last day of work. If you are in the US within those 4 weeks, you call this # 1-877-486-1650 and file. She said not to file in Canada if you are going to be there within that time frame, because it will save you hassle from getting your claim transfered to the "Interstate Claim" which can take weeks. If you are only going to the US after 4 weeks, then file in Canada, and then transfer later on.

Hope this helps.

Dom

Great link!

Is there some reason why I cannot access the old EI thread? I am sure my questions are answered there, but it's not recognizing my login.

This is blowing my hair back. I had no idea I would be eligible to get EI while I was job hunting in the US; that will save my fiance from having to take out a student loan to make ends meet until I can find work.

This could be a lifesaver!

Is there anywhere I could get the data I'd need to calculate how much I would foreseeably be getting?

This might help you get an idea:

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=...ml&hs=#much

But if I file in Canada right now would I be denied benefits because I left my job. They marked quit reason fo leaving as Relocation for anticipated marriage on the ROE
I probably won't be going State side till another month or more Will it only be a waste of time filing so late after leaving my work or should I just file and see what happens
thanks

I filed a little over 4 weeks after I quit my job. I quit on Oct 13, moved to the States on Oct 29, and didn't file til November 17. It didn't raise an issue. If you're not coming here til 5-6 weeks later, I would think you should apply now. There are spaces on the application form to explain your situation i.e. why it took you a while to get down to the States after quitting, etc.

Okay Thanks for the info I'll file now and explain the situation to them
One more question. Would I file at the local EI center here or is there an online form to use for this type of filing
Also when I file here in Canada do I refile in the U.S when I leave Canada

Thanks
Allie

No prob. What I would actually do is call EI and ask them what they would advice you to do, i.e. explain your situation and ask if it would be better to apply now or later. I first called them and the person I spoke with gave me specific instructions on how to fill out the application online. Since you're still in Canada wishing to move down to the States later, they might give you specific instructions too.

The phone number is 1-800-206-7218. The online application can be accessed on the Service Canada website http://servicecanada.gc.ca

Edit: oh, this was mentioned at the top. sorry. hehe

"ok, here is a bit of interesting information I have just gotten.
I received my first payment from Employment Insurance. I was expecting the maximum, which I thought was around 800+$, but I only received 620$. I called them and she informed me that I did get the maximum. The thing is that since we are out of the country they tax us 25%. nice... Well, at least I got some money. Now I start work on Monday. "

Yep they take off 25% automatically! BUT when you do your Cdn taxes for that yr u recieved EI, you can get some of that 25% back!! I forget the form # I enjoyed my cheque from revenue canada!!

So exactly what did you put for your answer for question 4? I filed online on March 24th, then mailed off all necessary paperwork and haven't heard a word yet. So I called today. Lady told me my file wasn't actually there but it should be finalized within another week or so and if I wanted to call back at the end of the week I could. She said she would mail me some cards today so I could get those in motion. I guess it's a start......... but was curious as to how you answer that question.

Cheers.......... Susan in Tulsa, OK

OK, so apparently, my ROE in finally on its way to my house. However, I doubt that it says "relocation for marriage" as I had no idea I even qualified for EI until last week (well after my last day of work .. which was the end of april). will this be a problem ?? will a US marriage certificate perhaps be good enough ??

~l

No, mine did not state that. Just enclose a nice cover letter explaining the situation!!

awesome! thank you

They denied me becasue they said that I left work to early to move to the USA.

My interview was May 2, I moved May 24.

I didnt get married until Aug 12, so they said that I left my job to early and that I should not have moved until August. What the F&ck ever. They shouldnt be able to tell me when I can move.

MY EI claim was originally denied (not because of the ROE) but becuase I was military and had an actual contract. But I appealed and won. Easy process, and the EI people were excellent.
No clue on why they denied you Pink, crazy!!

I did Appeal it and it was denied.

So sorry to hear that Pink... gosh..

Hi everyone I just read through the thread, I think i actually did everything right this time.My last day of work was june 9th I had my EAD biometrics appt june 15th and i applied for EI june 26th. MY move date is july 2nd. so hopefully i'm good to go on all this.I mailed my ROE'S in too,now my question is do i just mail my copy of EAD when i get it to the belleville office? thanks terry our journey is almost done yippee

Can anyone give me the address I'm to return the EI cards to. It wasn't included with the cards

HRDC
PO Box 4500
Belleville, ON
K8N 5E2

I used the search engine, had to type in Belleville interstate to find it. Found the info on this post:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...php/t43966.html

How would collecting EI in the US work on filing taxes. I read in here where Flames was saying that Canada takes 25% tax off
When it comes time to file taxes on the EI I assume one would be filing on a Revenue Canada tax form as they deducted the taxes. What about here in the US does one also have to file a tax claim for receiving the EI and pay US tax on that money
I'm not sure how this is all suppose to work when filing taxes if I do manage to get my EI approved.

Could someone please enlighten me on how filing income tax on money received in Canada is done, while now living in the US.
I think my next tax filing is going to be quite an adventure lol lol

Thanks

Do we have to have had the civil ceremony already to be eligible?

Nope.. It has to do with when you are ready willing and able to work.. not tied to your wedding date..

We moved to the US once I got my K-1 and we waited about a week until we got married...

I left a few days after I moved (cause I wasn't ready and able to work I was unpacking and goofing off with hubby ), but i put a date for ready willing and able to work that was before my wedding date..

You are relocating because of a marriage.. but you are "eligible" (2 week waiting period still applies though) from the time you stop working (if you have moving fairies that do all the work while you look for work)

does i matter that you quit?

i know if you are living in canada and quit jobs they wont pay you

As long as u quit to move to be with ur spouse!!

we are about to have a baby so is it better to wait till he is born, then i can collect parental? cuz the regular ei is only good for as long as your i-94 right? so Im wondering if the parental leave maybe longer..

anyone know?

I would call them and ask them some questions ... go to www.servicecanada.ca for all of the information

I just called and asked some questions and she said that they look at how much you've worked in the last 52 weeks and determine if you're eligible that way.

Does anyone know what the cutoff for minimum number of hours is to qualify? Just curious.

Seems to be between 420 and 700 depending on where you live:

The qualifying period is the shorter of :

the 52-week period immediately before the start date of a claim, or
the period since the start of a previous EI claim if that claim had started during the 52 week-period.

Most people will need between 420 and 700 insurable hours of work in their qualifying period to qualify, depending on the unemployment rate in their region at the time of filing their claim for benefits. To find out this number you can enter your postal code here

In some instances, a minimum of 910 hours in the qualifying period may be needed to qualify.

and when I give my notice, I've gotta tell the girl that does payroll to write that I quit but to move for my spouse, right??


SHe's so retarded and she just started doing the office paperwork for the clinic so I'm sure she's gonna think I'm trying to run a scam and that I don't qualify.

sigh

and she's gonna say "if that's true, .... still he's not your spouse yet!!"

If its not on ur ROE, its not a huge deal. Wasnt on mine!! I just stated on the cover letter I sent in that i left to be with my spouse