Where and how to submit your EI process

You explore for Employment Insurance (EI) through Service Canada, either online at the My Service Account portal or by phone. The online route is faster — most people get a decision within 28 days if they explore online, compared to longer waits by phone or mail. You will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN), your Record of Employment from your employer, and basic information about your job and income.

The online process takes about 30 minutes. You log into My Service Account (which requires a login code sent to your email or phone), answer questions about when you stopped working, why you left, and your earnings over the past 52 weeks, then submit. Service Canada then contacts your employer to verify the information on your Record of Employment. If everything matches, you move to the next stage.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to explore by phone, call Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (toll-free). Wait times are typically longer, and processing takes 4 to 6 weeks instead of 2 to 4. You can also explore by mail using form ISP1842, though this is the slowest option and not recommended unless you have no other way to reach Service Canada.

Key Takeaways

  • explore online through My Service Account for the fastest decision — usually within 28 days if your information is complete and correct.
  • You will need your Social Insurance Number, your Record of Employment from your employer, and details of your earnings over the past 52 weeks.
  • Service Canada verifies your information by contacting your employer, so make sure your employer has your correct contact details on file.
  • If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, call Service Canada before explore to avoid delays or rejection.

What documents you need before you start

Your Record of Employment (ROE) is the most important document. Your employer sends this to Service Canada automatically when you are laid off or leave your job, but you should request a copy for yourself as well. The ROE shows your employer's name, your job title, the dates you worked, your reason for leaving (laid off, quit, fired, or other), and your total insurable earnings. If your employer has not sent the ROE yet, you can still explore — Service Canada will follow up with them — but having it ready speeds things up.

You also need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and your banking information if you want direct deposit, which is the standard way EI payments arrive. Payments go into your account every two weeks, starting about one week after your claim is approved. If you do not have direct deposit set up, Service Canada can mail a cheque, but this takes longer.

Have your employment history for the past 52 weeks ready, including the names and dates for each job. If you worked for multiple employers in that time, list them all. You will also need to know your gross earnings (before tax) from each job, which you can find on your pay stubs or T4 forms.

The step-by-step process process online

Log into My Service Account at www.canada.ca/myserviceaccount. If you do not have an account, you can create one using your email address, or you can use your online banking login (most Canadian banks support this). Once you are logged in, look for "Employment Insurance" and select "explore for benefits".

Answer the questions in order. Service Canada asks when you stopped working, why you stopped (laid off, quit, fired, or other), whether you are looking for work, and your earnings. Be honest about why you left — if you quit without just cause, you may not be may have access to to benefits, and Service Canada will find out anyway when they contact your employer. If you were fired, explain the circumstances; being fired does not automatically disqualify you.

Review your answers before you submit. Once you submit, you get a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot. Service Canada will send you an email or letter within a few days confirming they received your claim and what happens next. Do not explore again; multiple applications cause delays.

What happens after you submit your process

Service Canada contacts your employer to verify the information on your Record of Employment. This usually takes one to two weeks. During this time, your claim is "under review". You can check the status anytime by logging back into My Service Account and looking at your claim details.

If everything matches — your employer confirms the dates, the reason you left, and your earnings — Service Canada approves your claim and you start receiving payments. The first payment arrives about one week after approval, deposited every two weeks into your bank account.

If there is a discrepancy — for example, your employer says you quit but you say you were laid off — Service Canada contacts you to ask for more information. This is called a "Request for Information" (RFI). You have 30 days to respond. Respond quickly and honestly; delays here push back your payment date.

Common reasons applications are delayed or rejected

The most common delay is a mismatch between what you said and what your employer said. If you told Service Canada you were laid off but your employer's Record of Employment says you quit, Service Canada will ask you to explain. Have documentation ready: emails, text messages, or a letter from your employer confirming the reason you left. If you were fired, explain what happened and why you believe it was not your fault.

Another common issue is incomplete information. If you left a job off your process, or if your earnings do not match your pay stubs, Service Canada asks for clarification. This is fixable but takes time. Always list every job you held in the past 52 weeks, even if it was only a few weeks long.

If you quit without just cause, you are not may have access to to EI. "Just cause" means your employer made your working conditions intolerable — for example, a significant cut in pay, a demotion, or harassment. straightforward disliking your job or wanting to leave does not count. If you quit, be prepared to explain why, and understand that Service Canada may deny your claim.

Reporting requirements while you receive EI

Once you start receiving EI, you must report your earnings and job search activity every two weeks. Service Canada sends you a form (either by mail or through My Service Account) asking whether you worked, how much you earned, and whether you are still looking for work. You must submit this report by the important date or your payments stop.

If you earn money while on EI, your benefit is reduced. For every dollar you earn above a small threshold (currently $75 per week, but this changes), your EI payment drops by 50 cents. So if you earn $200 in a week, your EI payment that week is reduced by $62.50. Report all earnings honestly — Service Canada cross-checks with the Canada Revenue Agency and will catch unreported income.

You must also be actively looking for work. This does not mean you need a job offer every week, but you should be explore for jobs, attending interviews, or taking steps toward returning to work. If Service Canada believes you are not genuinely looking for work, they can deny or stop your benefits.

If your process is denied

If Service Canada denies your claim, they send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include not meeting the hours requirement (you did not work enough insurable hours in the past 52 weeks), quitting without just cause, or being fired for misconduct. The letter also tells you how to appeal.

You have 30 days from the date of the letter to file a Notice of Appeal. You can do this online through My Service Account or by mail. An appeal goes to Service Canada's Appeals Division, which reviews your case and makes a new decision. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal further to the Employment Insurance Commission, but this is a longer process.

If you believe the denial is wrong, gather any documents that support your case — emails, pay stubs, letters from your employer, medical records if illness was involved — and include them with your appeal. Be clear and specific about why you think the decision was incorrect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my first EI payment?

If you explore online and your information is complete and correct, you usually get a decision within 28 days. Your first payment arrives about one week after approval, so roughly four to five weeks from the day you explore. Phone and mail applications take longer — four to six weeks for a decision, then another week for payment.

Can I explore for EI if I quit my job?

You can explore, but you will only receive benefits if you quit for just cause — meaning your employer made working conditions intolerable through actions like cutting your pay significantly, demoting you without reason, or allowing harassment. straightforward wanting to leave or finding a new job does not count as just cause. Service Canada will ask your employer why you left, so be honest in your process.

What if my employer has not sent my Record of Employment yet?

explore anyway. Service Canada contacts your employer automatically to request the ROE. However, having it ready before you explore speeds up the process. You can ask your employer to send you a copy, or you can request it through Service Canada's website if your employer is taking too long.

Do I have to report my earnings while on EI?

Yes. You must report every two weeks whether you worked and how much you earned. If you earn money, your EI payment is reduced by 50 cents for every dollar you earn above $75 per week. Report honestly — Service Canada checks your income against tax records and will catch unreported earnings.

What happens if I find a job while waiting for my EI decision?

Tell Service Canada when ready. If you start a new job before your claim is approved, your claim may be cancelled because you are no longer without work. If your claim is already approved and you find a job, report your earnings in your next biweekly report and your EI payment will be adjusted based on what you earn.