Searching for Employment Insurance

Assistance locating and applying for:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Passports
• Dual Citizenship
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• conducts public speaking and seminars to employers, labour associations, community organizations and general public
• provides special and personalized service to claimants experiencing difficulties with employment insurance
• Liaison with potential employers in the community

Enhances public awareness of:

• the Employment Insurance program
• Canada Pension Plan Benefits
• Old Age Security Benefits
• Employment Programs

COVID-19 Important Information: this location has now reopened for in-person service either waiting in line for first come first served, or by the option of filling out a service request for an appointment; see more information here

Service Overview

• Temporary financial assistance and support in finding new employment
• claimants must conduct a reasonable job search to remain eligible
• Basic benefit rate is 55% of average insured earnings
• maximum weekly benefit $638
• duration of benefits based on insured weeks of work and regional unemployment rate

Working While on Claim

• claimants keep 50 cents of EI benefits for every dollar earned in wages, up to a maximum of 90% of weekly earnings
• claimants may choose instead to earn up to 40% of regular benefits or $75 per week (whichever is higher) with no reduction in EI payment

Family Supplement

• for low income families who receive the Canada Child Benefit (see separate entry)
• amount based on annual net family income
• supplement will be added to EI payment

Special benefits

• 15 weeks sickness benefits
• 26 weeks compassionate care benefits
• 35 weeks for family caregivers to care for critically ill or injured children, and 15 weeks to care for critically ill or injured adults
• 15 weeks maternity benefits
• 40 weeks standard parental, 69 weeks extended parental benefits available to natural, legal or adoptive parents -- benefits can be shared by both parents

Claimants may be able to receive combination of special benefits

My Service Canada Account

• computer access to claim information

Social Security Tribunal, 1-877-227-8577​

• independent appeal process for Employment Insurance decisions

Job Bank www.jobbank.gc.ca

• online employment information and job postings
• employers can post jobs online

Program of Employment and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada

Assistance locating and applying for:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Passports
• Dual Citizenship
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant
• conducts public speaking and seminars to employers, labour associations, community organizations and general public
• provides special and personalized service to claimants experiencing difficulties with employment insurance
• Liaison with potential employers in the community

Enhances public awareness of:

• the Employment Insurance program
• Canada Pension Plan Benefits
• Old Age Security Benefits
• Employment Programs

COVID-19 Important Information: this location has now reopened for in-person service either waiting in line for first come first served, or by the option of filling out a service request for an appointment; see more information here

Service Overview

• Temporary financial assistance and support in finding new employment
• claimants must conduct a reasonable job search to remain eligible
• Basic benefit rate is 55% of average insured earnings
• maximum weekly benefit $638
• duration of benefits based on insured weeks of work and regional unemployment rate

Working While on Claim

• claimants keep 50 cents of EI benefits for every dollar earned in wages, up to a maximum of 90% of weekly earnings
• claimants may choose instead to earn up to 40% of regular benefits or $75 per week (whichever is higher) with no reduction in EI payment

Family Supplement

• for low income families who receive the Canada Child Benefit (see separate entry)
• amount based on annual net family income
• supplement will be added to EI payment

Special benefits

• 15 weeks sickness benefits
• 26 weeks compassionate care benefits
• 35 weeks for family caregivers to care for critically ill or injured children, and 15 weeks to care for critically ill or injured adults
• 15 weeks maternity benefits
• 40 weeks standard parental, 69 weeks extended parental benefits available to natural, legal or adoptive parents -- benefits can be shared by both parents

Claimants may be able to receive combination of special benefits

My Service Canada Account

• computer access to claim information

Social Security Tribunal, 1-877-227-8577​

• independent appeal process for Employment Insurance decisions

Job Bank www.jobbank.gc.ca

• online employment information and job postings
• employers can post jobs online

Program of Employment and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services. Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant

COVID-19: Click here for an up-to-date service announcement.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services. Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Passports

COVID-19 - The office is now open to the public on a part-time, appointments-only basis. Clients must call first to make an appointment. We also continue to assist clients by working remotely.

Provides referrals, legal advice, legal representation, Tenant Duty Counsel services, public legal education and community outreach.

Areas of law include:

• Tenant rights
• Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and CPP Disability
• Disability issues
• Employment law including the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights in the Workplace and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
• Wills and powers of attorney

Does not assist with matters relating to criminal, family, or property law.

Part-time satellite offices (by appointment only):

Wallaceburg Community Resource Centre
939 Dufferin Ave, Wallaceburg

Blenheim Municipal Building
35 Talbot St, Blenheim

Tilbury Information and Help Centre
20 Queen St N, Tilbury

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services. Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant.
• Passports

Access to Government of Canada services, benefits and documentation

Employment Services - Assistance with career planning and counselling including resume and interview assistance and student and youth employment services * access to online Job Bank

Employment Insurance - Basic income protection program for employed workers

Financial Benefits - Information and forms for federal pensions and benefits including the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Disability Benefits and Survivor Benefits

Social Insurance Number (SIN) application - Personal identification number for access to various Canadian government programs

Services for Business - Services regarding employees and safety, including records of employment; wage subsidies, labour market information, labour standards, occupational health and safety and workplace equity

Access to Government of Canada services, benefits and documentation

Employment Services - Assistance with career planning and counselling including resume and interview assistance and student and youth employment services * access to online Job Bank

Employment Insurance - Basic income protection program for employed workers

Financial Benefits - Information and forms for federal pensions and benefits including the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Disability Benefits, and Survivor Benefits

Social Insurance Number (SIN) application - Personal identification number for access to various Canadian government programs

Services for Business - Services regarding employees and safety, including records of employment, wage subsidies, labour market information, labour standards, occupational health and safety and workplace equity

COVID-19 Normal business hours have resumed with Covid protocols in place - walk in services offered when capacity allows.
Clients can apply for critical services online. Personal service support for EI and pension applications are available through e-service online and on mobile phones
Accessing services Online Services available HERE If you require assistance accessing services please complete an online request HERE A Service Canada officer will contact you within 2 business days. If you do not have access to the internet and require assistance accessing services, please call 1-877-355-2657.

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services. Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, as well as Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others.

Student/youth employment services available -- see separate entry.

Services offered include * labour market information * applying for a social insurance number * lost or stolen social insurance number * applying for Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Apprenticeship Completion Grant, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, Old Age Security * provides passport applications but does not accept or process completed applications * among many other services and applications.

Service Overview

• Temporary financial assistance and support in finding new employment
• claimants must conduct a reasonable job search to remain eligible
• Basic benefit rate is 55% of average insured earnings
• maximum weekly benefit $638
• duration of benefits based on insured weeks of work and regional unemployment rate

Working While on Claim

• claimants keep 50 cents of EI benefits for every dollar earned in wages, up to a maximum of 90% of weekly earnings
• claimants may choose instead to earn up to 40% of regular benefits or $75 per week (whichever is higher) with no reduction in EI payment

Family Supplement

• for low income families who receive the Canada Child Benefit (see separate entry)
• amount based on annual net family income
• supplement will be added to EI payment

Special benefits

• 26 weeks sickness benefits
• 26 weeks compassionate care benefits
• 35 weeks for family caregivers to care for critically ill or injured children, and 15 weeks to care for critically ill or injured adults
• 15 weeks maternity benefits
• 40 weeks standard parental, 69 weeks extended parental benefits available to natural, legal or adoptive parents -- benefits can be shared by both parents

Claimants may be able to receive combination of special benefits

My Service Canada Account

• computer access to claim information

Social Security Tribunal, 1-877-227-8577​

• independent appeal process for Employment Insurance decisions

Job Bank www.jobbank.gc.ca

• online employment information and job postings
• employers can post jobs online

Program of Employment and Social Development Canada, delivered by Service Canada

One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• labour market information
• information and referral on Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others
• some Service Canada locations are passport receiving agents

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory

For local Service Canada Centres see separate entries or office locator

Financial Relief Navigator (FRN)

• online tool that provides information and help to access emergency benefits, related to COVID-19, including Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), and Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), as well as other benefits and financial relief from governments, financial institutions, utilities, telecoms and internet providers
• Click HERE for more information

Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Plan provides programs in the following three areas:

• Support for Individuals
• Support for Businesses
• Support for Sectors

Support for Individuals
CRB ended Oct 23, 2021, in its place is the Canadian Worker Lockdown Benefit:

• Canadian Worker Lockdown Benefit:
  • will provide $300 per week to workers who are subject to a lockdown, including those who are ineligible for traditional Employment Insurance
• Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
  • available to those who need to self-isolate due to COVID-19 will continue until Nov 20, 2021 and is proposed by government to extend until May 7, 2022
  • to apply see CRSB Application
  • for other questions about CRSB see, CRSB Questions
• Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
  • available to those who must stop work to care for a child under 12 or a family member who needs supervised care, will continue until Nov 20, 2021 and is proposed by government to extend until May 7, 2022
  • to apply see CRCB Application
  • for other question about CRCB see, CRCB Questions

Canada Student Loans

• see Canada Student Loans - COVID-19 for details
• see Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for Ontario Students

Support for Seniors

• Government of Canada has introduced legislation to support low-income seniors who received pandemic benefits. For information about a One-Time Grant for Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) Recipients click here.

Provincial Programs
Social Assistance

• Visit Ontario Works and ODSP for up-to-date information and to apply online

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Ontario (WSIB)

• If you believe you contracted COVID-19 while at work, you may file a claim to determine if you are eligible for WSIB coverage, call 1-800-387-0750 or visit WSIB Benefits for more information

Service Ontario

• Service Ontario is reinstating renewal requirements for driver's licences, licence plate stickers, other driver and vehicle products, Ontario Photo Cards and Ontario health cards that were temporarily extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, see Renewal Requirements

OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan)

• Ontario has waived the three-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage, see Applying for an Ontario Health Card for more details

Utilities Relief
Ontario Energy Board

• See Help for Low-Income Consumers

Telecommunications Relief

• Telus COVID-19 Updates
• Rogers COVID-19 Updates
• If your telecommunications company is not listed here, check their website or contact them directly to learn of any assistance they may be offering

Temporary financial assistance and support in finding new employment

• able-bodied claimants must be seeking employment to remain eligible

Basic benefit rate is 55% of average insured earnings up to a maximum amount. In 2022, the maximum amount is $638 per week.

Family Supplement: for low income families who receive the Canada Child Benefit

• amount based on annual net family income up to $25,921 and on the number of children in the family and their ages
• entitlement will be added to EI payment

Special Benefits:

• sickness benefits
• compassionate care
• benefits for the self-employed
• benefits for Canadians living abroad
• family caregiver benefit for children
• family caregiver benefit for adults
• fishing benefits

Maternity or parental benefits

• 15 weeks maternity benefits
• 35 week standard parental benefits which can be shared by the two parents (children born or adopted)
• 61 weeks extended parental benefits which can be shared by both parents (children born or adopted

For information from Employment and Social Development Canada regarding the Employment Insurance sickness benefits for those affect by COVID-19: Click Here

• for individuals without access to the Internet, or facing other barriers, a Service Canada Outreach Support Centre is available by phone at 1-877-355-2657 Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 4 pm