Labour disruption due to COVID-19 has forced employers into massive layoffs of Jasper's workforce. Here is some information to help navigate unemployment. Please do not hesitate to contact the Jasper Education and Employment Centre staff at 780.852-4418 or email [email protected] for assistance with EI or info on connecting to Alberta Income Supports.聽
Q. When can I apply for Employment Insurance (EI)?
A. After you have finished your last physical day of full time work whether you are laid off due to shortage of work, sick, have taken a leave of absence, quit or been dismissed. You cannot apply for EI while you are employed full time.
Q. How do I apply for EI?
A. You will be applying for Employment Insurance at
Q. What will I need to apply for EI?
A. Social Insurance Number (SIN). If your SIN begins with a 9, you also need proof of your immigration status & work permit. Banking information to sign up for direct deposit, including the financial institution name, bank branch number and account number. Details of your employment for all employers over the last 52 weeks from the date of application. Including: names, addresses, start and end dates of employment and reason for separation, highest paid weeks of insurable earnings for each employer in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is the shorter period.
Q. Are Records of Employment required to apply for EI?
A. Absolutely, you will need all ROE's from all employers for the past 52 weeks. If you have paper copies, those will need to be mailed into Service Canada, otherwise, if your employer has filed your ROE with CRA you will not have to worry about getting a copy. Many employers are still working on paper copies - so it will be extremely important to get copies of those ROE's as you will have to mail those in, failure to do so will delay the processing of your claim. You do not need to have your ROE's to apply or submit your application, those can follow after you've applied.
Q. What if I have filed for sick benefits in error instead of regular benefits?
A. This is an honest mistake that more than one person has made when initially applying as COVID-19 was at the top of people's minds and they thought sick benefits were the right benefit to apply for. Sick benefits can only be used for people who are sick, injured or in quarantine. It will be a problem if you have applied for the wrong benefits and will delay the processing of your claim, you will have to call Service Canada EI line as soon as possible to have them correct your application. Call 1-800-206-7218, this is the only way.聽
Q. What you can expect after you have submitted your application?
A. In approximately ten days you will receive an access code by mail to complete your bi-weekly reporting online. Failure to fill in these reports will mean that no benefits will be paid to you. In the meantime, get all your records of employment organized and sent in. It is estimated to take approx 4-6 weeks before people can expect to see EI benefits.
Q. Are there other emergency benefits that I can access?
A. Yes, there are provincial income support benefits that you can access through the Government of Alberta, please call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992.
Q. If I am self-employed, can I access EI benefits?
A. If you have not paid into the EI fund, you will not qualify for EI benefits. You should be contacting the Alberta Supports Contact Centre to see how they can help. See telephone above.
Q. Can I get assistance to apply for EI?
A. Yes, while our office is closed for walk in traffic, we are assisting people with EI over the phone. Please call our office if you require assistance at 780-852-4418.
