Compassionate Care Benefits

Employment Insurance Covers Care of Dying Relatives

Since January 4, 2004, eligible Canadian workers who take time off work to care for a gravely ill family member can receive up to six weeks of employment insurance benefits over a period of six months. Their jobs will also be protected.

Before the introduction of the compassionate care benefits, Canadians who took time off to help a dying relative usually had to depend on their employer's goodwill to be allowed unpaid leave and may have had to put their jobs at risk.

To qualify for the compassionate care employment insurance benefits, an applicant must have worked 600 hours in the previous 52 weeks, and also must show that regular weekly earnings have decreased by 40 percent. A medical certificate must be provided to show that the family member has a high risk of death within 26 weeks.

Compassionate care includes providing emotional support, arranging for third-party support or directly providing the care.

Effective the week of June 11, 2006 the definition of"family member" was expanded to include those who provide care for a brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, foster parent, ward, guardian, or a gravely ill person who considers the claimant to be like a family member. The benefits remain available to those caring for a parent, child, spouse or common-law partner.

The compassionate care benefits can be shared between eligible family members and the dying family member can be in another country.

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Posted in: Employment in Canada

Employment Insurance Changes in 2012

Government Outlines Changes Coming to Employment Insurance

Updated: 08/30/12

The Canadian federal government is planning changes to theEmployment Insurance (EI) program to make it more efficient in connecting unemployed Canadians with work. The broad changes are part of the massive omnibus legislation implementing the 2012 Federal Budget that received Royal Assent June 29, 2012. The details of the changes will be fleshed out by regulation which are expected to be in place by early 2013.

The main areas where the program will change are:

• measures to better connect the EI program and the Temporary Foreign Workers program so that unemployed Canadians are informed of and can apply for vacant jobs before employers are approved to hire temporary foreign workers
• ensuring that EI recipients receive comprehensive job postings on a daily basis from multiple sources
• better defining and strengthening the requirements for what is considered "suitable employment" for EI claimants
• better defining and strengthening the requirements for what is considered a "reasonable job search" for EI claimants

The changes only apply to Canadians receiving regular and fishing EI benefits. They do not apply to EI special benefits of maternity, parental, compassionate, and sick leave.

Connecting Employment Insurance Program and Temporary Foreign Workers Program

The federal government plans to do more to share information between the Employment Insurance program and the Temporary Foreign Workers program so that Canadians can be hired before employers apply to bring in foreign workers. In her presentation on the EI changes, Diane Finley, Minister responsible for the Employment Insurance program, gave examples where some employers were allowed to bring in temporary foreign workers while unemployed Canadians/permanent residents were making claims for Employment Insurance in the same occupation and province. The EI program is also going to do what it can to make sure EI claimants are informed of those job opportunities.

Connecting Canadians With Available Jobs

EI claimants currently receive notice of three relevant job postings when they apply for EI and when they complete their online report every two weeks. Some don't receive any though, because the only source the EI program is using is the federal government Job Bank, which carries only about a fifth of jobs advertised online in Canada. The EI Program will expand its Job Alerts for EI claimants to twice a day, will expand its range of sources, and will include jobs in related occupational sectors in addition to those in the claimant's chosen occupation. Even though claimants would not be required to accept jobs outside a reasonable commuting distance, they would also receive job postings from other areas of Canada to give them an idea of the current labour market across the country. The new system will also provide information on the demand and current wage rates of relevant occupations.

New Definition of Suitable Employment

Six basic criteria will go into the new definition of "suitable employment":

• personal circumstances - physical or health problems, limited transportation options
• working conditions
• hours of work
• commuting time - up to one hour or the average for the community
• type of work - will vary based on the claimant’s EI history and duration of EI claim
• wages - will vary based on the claimant’s EI history and duration of EI claim

The type of work and wages would vary depending on the worker category the claimant falls into. The maximum benefit is 55 percent of the claimant's average weekly earnings. The maximum weekly amount is $485.

• Long-tenured workers - claimants who have paid into EI for the past seven of 10 years and over the last five years have received 35 or fewer weeks of EI regular or fishing benefits. For the first 18 weeks, these claimants would be required to accept work in their usual occupation and accept a salary of 90 percent of their previous salary. After 18 weeks, they would be required to expand their search to include similar occupations and accept wages starting at 80 percent of their previous hourly wage.
• Frequent claimants - claimants who had three or more regular or fishing claims and received more than 60 weeks of regular or fishing benefits in the last five years. These claimants would be required to do an expanded job search for jobs similar to their usual occupation at 80 percent of their previous hourly wage right from the beginning of their claim. After six weeks they would be expected to expand their search to any work they are qualified to do (with on-the-job training if necessary) and accept wages at 70 percent of their previous hourly wage.
• Occasional claimants - all others. These are claimants who have limited experience in being unemployed and looking for work. They would be allowed to limit their search to their usual occupation and accept a salary of 90 percent of their previous hourly wage for the first six weeks of their claim. At seven weeks they would be required to expand their search to include jobs similar to their usual occupation and accept wages at 80% of their previous hourly wage. After 18 weeks they would be expected to expand their search to any work they are qualified to do (with on-the-job training if necessary) and accept wages at 70 percent of their previous hourly wage.

New Definition for Reasonable Job Search

Keeping in mind their definition of suitable employment, EI claimants will be expected to

• research and assess job prospects
• prepare a resume
• search for job vacancies
• apply for positions
• attend interviews
• undertake other efforts to improve their employability (e.g. attend workshops, go to employment agencies, attend job fairs, network).

EI claimants will be required to look for a job every day they receive EI benefits. They will also be required to keep a record of their job search activities, and submit evidence when requested.

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Posted in: Employment in Canada

Canadian Employment Insurance Rules

Rules and Filing Claimants Reports to Receive Employment Insurance Benefits

Once you've applied for Canadian Employment Insurance, here's information on how it works, the rules to follow and the claimants reports to submit in order to receive Canadian Employment Insurance benefits.

Response to Employment Insurance Application

You'll find out usually within 28 days of the start date of your Employment Insurance claim if your claim has been rejected and why.

If your Employment Insurance claim is accepted, you should receive your first Employment Insurance benefits payment within 28 days of the start date of your claim.

Employment Insurance Waiting Period

There is a two-week waiting period before Employment Insurance benefits are paid. Any money earned in those two weeks is deducted from the first three weeks of benefits.

Access Code

Once you apply for Employment Insurance, you will receive an Access Code to use when making inquiries or when filing claimants reports. You will also need to use your Social Insurance Number for these activities.

You can make inquiries by phone, but for anything more than simple questions it may be more efficient to go to the nearest Service Canada office and sort it out in person. You will get quicker answers and are more likely to get assistance on how to proceed.

Employment Insurance Rules

In order to receive Employment Insurance benefits, you are required to do the following:

• be willing and able to work
• look for work and keep records of the employers you have contacted and when you contacted them
• report all money earned when on Employment Insurance, including self-employment earnings
• submit claimants reports on schedule
• report when you are not available for work
• report any absence from your area of residence.

Employment Insurance Claimants Reports

Soon after you apply for Employment Insurance benefits, and before you know if your claim is accepted or not, you'll get a letter with a Benefits Statement telling you when your first claimants report is due.

The claimants reports system is online across Canada and gives you the option of filing your claimants reports using the Internet Reporting Service. You will receive instructions on how to use this service with your Benefits Statement.

Employment Insurance also has a Telephone Reporting Service that lets you submit claimants reports using a touch-tone phone. The telephone reporting system informs you when your claimants reports are due and asks you to respond to a series of questions. When your claimants report is completed using the telephone service, your Employment Insurance payment is deposited directly to your bank account two business days later.

If you are hearing impaired or don't have access to a touch-tone phone, claimants reports can be submitted by mail.

Income Taxes and EI Benefits

Depending on your net income for the year, you may be required to repay some or all of the Employment Insurance benefits you receive. Calculations and repayment are made when you file your income tax return for the year.

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Posted in: Employment in Canada

Canadian Employment Insurance Applications

When, How and Where to Apply for Employment Insurance in Canada

Canadian Employment Insurance benefits are not automatic. You must apply for them.

When to Submit an Employment Insurance Application

Apply for Employment Insurance as soon as you stop working, even if you haven't received your Record of Employment (ROE). Be sure to submit your Canadian Employment Insurance application within four weeks of your last day of work, or you may lose benefits.

You should receive your ROE from your last employer within five days of becoming unemployed. Some employers submit ROEs electronically, in which case you do not need to submit a copy to Service Canada. If you have difficulty getting an ROE from an employer, go to your Service Canada Centre or contact Service Canada at 1 800 206-7218 to find out how to get your ROE and what is needed to calculate your claim.

Employment Insurance Application Form

When making an application for Canadian Employment Insurance benefits, you will need to give the following information:

• Social Insurance Number (SIN), and the SIN of the other parent if applying for parental benefits
• Mother's maiden name
• Personal identification, such as a drivers licence or birth certificate, if you apply in person at a Service Canada Centre.
• Record of Employment (ROE) from each job for the last 52 weeks
• Bank information, or a blank personal cheque marked VOID, so Employment Insurance benefits can be paid by direct deposit
• Employment details, including gross salary (before deductions and including tips and commissions), gross salary for the last week of work from Sunday to the last day, and other amounts received or still coming, such as vacation pay and severance pay. You'll need to provide the names and addresses of your employers, including postal codes.
• Dates of weeks in the last 52 that you did not work and why
• Medical certificate if you are claiming sickness benefits or applying for compassionate care benefits
• Adoption certificate if you are an adoptive parent claiming parental benefits.

Where to Apply for Employment Insurance

You can apply for Canadian Employment Insurance in person by going to the Service Canada Centre nearest you.

You can also apply for Canadian Employment Insurance online.

If you have paid Canadian Employment Insurance (EI) premiums and are unemployed, you may be able to apply for Canadian Employment Insurance benefits using the EI Online Application from Service Canada.

EI Online Application - Frequently Asked Questions

Before you attempt the EI online application, please read through the Frequently Asked Questions from Service Canada.

EI Online Application - Personal Information

The EI online application takes about 60 minutes to complete, but if you are disconnected during the process, your information will not be saved. Be sure to have all the information you'll need close at hand before you begin the EI online application.

If you do not have all the information listed below, or if you have any questions, then it is better to file your Employment Insurance application in person at the nearest Service Canada office to make sure your Employment Insurance benefits are not delayed.

For the EI online application you will need:

• Your postal code
• Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Date of birth
• Mother's maiden name
• Address and postal code of residence
• Gross salary - total earnings before deductions including tips and commissions
• Gross salary for your last week of work - from Sunday to your last day of work
• Vacation pay - received or to be received
• Severance pay - received or to be received
• Pension - received or to be received
• Pay in lieu of notice - received or to be received
• Other money - specify
• Name, address, dates of employment and reason for separation for all your employers in the last 52 weeks.
• Dates for the weeks in the last 52 weeks when you did not work, did not receive money and why
• Dates for the weeks (Sunday to Saturday) in the last 52 weeks when you did not work, did not receive moneys and reasons why
• Dates and amounts for weeks in the last 52 weeks when your earnings were less than $225.00 before deductions
• Band number if applying for Status Indian tax exemption
• Banking information to arrange direct deposit of Employment Insurance benefits.

If applying for Employment Insurance parental benefits, you will also need the SIN of the other parent.

If applying for Employment Insurance sickness benefits, you will need your doctor's name, address and telephone number. You may also need your expected date of recovery.

If applying for Employment Insurance compassionate care benefits, you will need information about the ill family member.

Note: When submitting an EI application online, you must also submit the paper copy of your Record of Employment by mail or in person to a Service Canada office as soon as possible.

EI Online Application - Confirmation

Once you submit your EI online application, a confirmation number will be generated. If you do not receive a confirmation number or wish to make changes to your application, do not apply again. Instead, call the following number during regular business hours and press "o" to talk to an agent: 1 (800) 206-7218

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Posted in: Employment in Canada

Canadian Employment Insurance Benefits

Employment Insurance Benefits Available in Canada

If you have paid Canadian Employment Insurance (EI) premiums and lose your job in Canada, you can apply for Employment Insurance benefits.

Different types of Employment Insurance benefits are available:

• Regular Employment Insurance benefits - For those who lose a job through no fault of their own, are able to work and are available for work. You must have worked a certain number of insurable hours, normally from 420 to 700, over a qualifying period, usually the previous 52 weeks. The number of insurable hours required depends on where you live in Canada and the unemployment rate for that region.
• Maternity and parental benefits - For those who are pregnant, or caring for a newborn or adopted child.
• Sickness benefits - For those who can't work because they are ill, injured or in quarantine.
• Compassionate care benefits - For those who must miss work to care for a dying relative.
• Fishing benefits - For those self-employed in fishing.

To find out if you can receive benefits, you must submit an Employment Insurance application to yourService Canada Centre or online.

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Posted in: Employment in Canada

The Canadian Transportation Agency Handles Air Travel Complaints

Air Travel Complaints in Canada

The Canadian Transportation Agency

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) is the federal government regulator of the transportation industry in Canada and is responsible for the administration of the Canada Transportation Act. One of the functions of the Canadian Transportation Agency is handling air travel complaints and monitoring air fares.

Handling Consumer Air Travel Complaints

The CTA handles and tries to resolve complaints from the flying public on issues such as :

• tickets and reservations
• terms and conditions of carriage - lost luggage and being bumped from a flight for example
• air fares and cargo rates on routes served by only one carrier and its affiliates
• frequent-flyer programs.

Other complaints, such as accessible transportation or problems in an airport terminal, are handled by different agencies in Canada.

Monitoring the Canadian Airline Industry

As well as resolving complaints from the public, the CTA monitors passenger air fares and cargo rates on routes in Canada that are only served by one carrier. The CTA may order a fare reduced or money refunded to a person who has been overcharged if that is practical. If it found an airline offering a discount fare on a route with competition, and not for a single carrier route, it could order the discount fare to be applied to the monopoly route also.

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Posted in: Canadian Government Services,Canadian Travel Services

Travel Documents for Canadians Entering the U.S.

U.S. Entry Requirements for Canadian Citizens June 2009

Dateline: 05/20/09

A U.S. law called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires Canadian citizens entering the United States to show a valid passport or other approved secure document. The requirements have been tightened effective June 1, 2009.

Canadian Citizens Entering the U.S. by Air

Since January 23, 2007, Canadian citizens entering or transiting the United States by air must show a valid Canadian passportor use a NEXUS card at a NEXUS kiosk. This includes children.

Canadian Citizens Entering the U.S. by Land or Water

Effective June 1, 2009, Canadian citizens, including children, travelling to the United States by land or by water must show

• a valid Canadian passport;
  
  or
• a NEXUS or FAST card;
  
  or
• an enhanced drivers licence or enhanced identification card from a Canadian province or territory program approved by the U.S.;
  
  or
• if 15 years old or under, proof of Canadian citizenship such as a birth certificate or Canadian citizenship card;
  or
• if 18 years old or under and travelling with a school or organized group under adult supervision with parental/guardian consent, proof of Canadian citizenship such as a birth certificate or Canadian citizenship card.

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Posted in: Canadian Government Services,Canadian Travel Services