The Canuck EI Thread

[Destiny2000 10]

Hi all

My Canadian husband is living here in the US with me and has been since June. We are sending our paperwork in on Sept 29th. He was let go from his job in Canada on Dec 31st 2016 as the company claimed they were re-structuring the company. Anyway,  do any of you know if he can apply for EI while here in the states? 

Thanks in advance for any replies

[Lemonslice 4,561]

27 minutes ago, Destiny2000 said:

Hi all

My Canadian husband is living here in the US with me and has been since June. We are sending our paperwork in on Sept 29th. He was let go from his job in Canada on Dec 31st 2016 as the company claimed they were re-structuring the company. Anyway,  do any of you know if he can apply for EI while here in the states? 

Thanks in advance for any replies

I think he had to apply when he was laid off. Contact service Canada.

[NikLR 13,220]

48 minutes ago, Destiny2000 said:

Hi all

My Canadian husband is living here in the US with me and has been since June. We are sending our paperwork in on Sept 29th. He was let go from his job in Canada on Dec 31st 2016 as the company claimed they were re-structuring the company. Anyway,  do any of you know if he can apply for EI while here in the states? 

Thanks in advance for any replies

You have to apply within 4 weeks of the job change status.  So no he is far beyond the timeframe. 

[Destiny2000 10]

Ok thanks!!

[sv3tka 5]

On 9/21/2017 at 3:36 PM, NikLR said:

You have to apply within 4 weeks of the job change status.  So no he is far beyond the timeframe. 

That's fair enough - but wasn't there also a clause that if you apply later it's not a 100% denial? I thought there is still a chance? 

 

I would still try to apply - worst that happens, you get denied. Plus the folks in the interstate office are super helpful and responsive - so the con's are definitely less than the pro's. 

[NikLR 13,220]

He left 9 months ago and wont even be able to get benefits until his EAD is approved.  Let's be honest, it's a waste of time but as you stated, it's their choice. 

[sv3tka 5]

On 10/1/2017 at 9:20 AM, NikLR said:

He left 9 months ago and wont even be able to get benefits until his EAD is approved.  Let's be honest, it's a waste of time but as you stated, it's their choice. 

I did forget about that...  benefits only with EAD in hand. I think you are right in this case. 

[LittleLeaf 38]

The Out of Canada branch is great! Got Patrick on the phone and as others have stated, he is very friendly and explains everything so clearly.

Within about 3 weeks of filing a claim online, I received my first 'report cards' and questionnaire. It wasn't enough time to mail back by their due date, but he said it is usually easiest to complete reports by phone (which we promptly did) and he marked my file that my questionnaire was on it's way and all was well. 

 

Im surprised and impressed with how straightforward it's been so far.

 

 

[zilchfox 296]

On 10/19/2017 at 5:24 PM, LittleLeaf said:

The Out of Canada branch is great! Got Patrick on the phone and as others have stated, he is very friendly and explains everything so clearly.

Within about 3 weeks of filing a claim online, I received my first 'report cards' and questionnaire. It wasn't enough time to mail back by their due date, but he said it is usually easiest to complete reports by phone (which we promptly did) and he marked my file that my questionnaire was on it's way and all was well. 

 

Im surprised and impressed with how straightforward it's been so far.

 

 

The branch is a very small team of like 5-6 people. I am always getting either Patrick or Brad on the phone every single time I call, so I wouldn't be surprised if they started remembering you as you keep calling every couple weeks.

 

With that said, my EI is all dried up now, coincidentally right as I began working full-time! I just recently received my most recent payment of a measly $36 CAD, LOL!

 

I guess it's time for me to close my RBC account, since I no longer have a need for it and the monthly payments are ridiculous to keep it open, it'd always be in overdraft by tens of dollars if it wasn't for EI.

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

On 9/21/2017 at 9:59 PM, NikLR said:

You are relocating to be with a spouse or family.  Also this is why K1 arent able to recieve benefits until you get your EAD  unlike a CR1/IR1 

 

Payments are direct deposit into a Canadian bank so I recommend either TD or RBC who have banks in both countries for ease of moving money across.  

I was able to look at my account with service Canada but you have to call a specific international line or mail in the cards. 

I received my roe this week and will look into applying for ei tomorrow. I got married Friday and will apply for ead once I get my marriage certificate this coming up Friday or the following Monday.

I am wondering if there is anything specific I have to write when asked why I am applying. Do you just say moved to marry spouse? My roe says quit. 

[NikLR 13,220]

48 minutes ago, Marzena & Stephen said:

I received my roe this week and will look into applying for ei tomorrow. I got married Friday and will apply for ead once I get my marriage certificate this coming up Friday or the following Monday.

I am wondering if there is anything specific I have to write when asked why I am applying. Do you just say moved to marry spouse? My roe says quit. 

relocating to be with family/spouse. 

[Destiny2000 10]

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season

I sent all the forms in a couple months ago. I got a letter today from USCIS "Request For Initial Evidence (I-485)."  
It says they want an English translation with the applicant's foreign birth certificate issued by the appropriate civil authority. If the document is in a language other than English, you must submit a copy of the foreign document and an English document.

Hubby was born in Toronto & I was certain I enclosed a copy of his birth certificate with the I-485. Is that what they are asking for? Do I just need to send a copy of his birth certificate in to them?

Thanks in advance & again I hope I put this in the correct thread.

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

On 12/3/2017 at 9:48 PM, NikLR said:

relocating to be with family/spouse. 

Hello,

I was hoping i could pick your brain as you seem very knowledgeable.

I was wondering when you decided to change your name on the SIN# and if you would recommend doing this after applying for EI.

I am hesitant as i applied for EI and dont want to mess anything up with name changes.

Also i was not sure if i should be filing my canadian taxes with my maiden name is my married name is not on my sin.

Thank you

 

[NikLR 13,220]

I changed my name on everything right after I was married in Canada.  Im not sure how that works for a K1. Not sure changing your name in Canada really matters for intents and purposes unless you move back. 

[LittleLeaf 38]

On 12/11/2017 at 3:40 PM, Marzena & Stephen said:

Hello,

I was hoping i could pick your brain as you seem very knowledgeable.

I was wondering when you decided to change your name on the SIN# and if you would recommend doing this after applying for EI.

I am hesitant as i applied for EI and dont want to mess anything up with name changes.

Also i was not sure if i should be filing my canadian taxes with my maiden name is my married name is not on my sin.

Thank you

 

It shouldn't be an issue one way or the other. But Id recommend you do both SIN and CRA so your taxes match. 

 

You would normally pop by the nearest Service Canada Office and bring a passport your marriage certificate, but if you're in the US I'd call them at their toll free number here https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/contact/sin.html to figure out how to send them the files. It should be reflected on all further Service Canada account info, including your EI claims, just like a change of address. I'm just not sure how quickly it takes them (I left mine be/am keeping my maiden name). It may be beneficial to start the EI paperwork/online claim, then worry about doing the name change, but you can ask if you call too.

 

If you leave it be, just remember it's in your maiden name when you contact them and they ask to confirm your info. If they end up mailing cheques (though most ppl have direct deposit set up) in your maiden name and you've updated the bank, just make sure you have ID with the old name when you go to deposit it (birth cert etc) - but even that shouldn't be an issue.

Hopefully that helps a bit!