Want to learn how to fill out your EI Report online? You’ve come to the right place.
About two in every three Canadians have just enough money in their savings to help them through three months of living expenses in case they lose their primary income source.
It’s not just an alarming stat for one-third of Canadians; even people with emergency funds might have trouble sustaining themselves for very long. This is why programs like Employment Insurance (EI) are so crucial.
EI acts as a viable replacement for your primary income. If you are receiving it, you need to fill your EI report online or via phone regularly to continue receiving your benefits.
Here’s a quick summary of the steps to fill out your EI report online, which I break down in more detail below:
- Visit the Service Canada website: Go to the CRA site here.
- Sign in to your account: Click on “Sign in” and choose either “Sign in with your online banking login” (Sign-In Partner) or “Sign in with your GCKey.” If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to register for one.
- Access your EI account: After signing in, navigate to the “Employment Insurance (EI)” section and click on “Access My Service Canada Account.”
- Locate your EI claim: In your Service Canada Account, find the “Employment Insurance (EI)” section and click on “View my Employment Insurance (EI) information.” This will take you to a page displaying your active EI claim.
- Begin your report: Find the “Internet Reporting Service” section and click on “Complete your EI report” to start the process.
- Read the instructions: Carefully read the provided instructions and click “Continue” to proceed.
- Enter your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and access code: Input your 9-digit SIN and your 4-digit access code (found on the benefit statement mailed to you) to log in to the Internet Reporting Service.
- Review and confirm your personal information: Ensure that your personal information is accurate and up-to-date.
- Answer the report questions: Carefully answer all the questions on the report, which will cover topics such as:
- Whether you were available for work during the reporting period
- Whether you started or stopped working during the reporting period
- Whether you received any earnings during the reporting period
- Whether you attended school or training during the reporting period
- Review your answers: Before submitting your report, double-check your answers to ensure accuracy.
- Submit your report: Click “Submit” to complete your EI report. You’ll receive a confirmation number, which you should keep for your records.
- Monitor your account: Regularly check your Service Canada Account for updates on your EI claim and any additional instructions.
What You Will Need to Fill Out Your EI Report Online
There are a few things you will need to fill out your EI report online. You need to keep them handy when you are about to submit your report:
- Access to a stable internet connection;
- A device to access the internet and fill out the report (ideally, a computer or laptop, but you can also do it on your phone);
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to help you log on to the portal;
- Your Access code, which you can get via mail (hardcopy), not online. If you have lost your access code, you must visit a Service Canada office or call them at 1-800-206-7218. You cannot fill your EI report online without your access code; and
- The phone numbers of your employers if you’ve worked during the two weeks.
EI Report Online
If you are receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefit payments, you need to file a report every two weeks to inform Service Canada that you are still eligible for the next round of benefit payments.
The most efficient way of doing it is by filling out your Service Canada EI report online. You can find the CRA link for this here.
If you’ve worked during the two weeks you are reporting for (even if you didn’t get paid yet), you must write the exact number of hours you’ve worked and the full amount you have received or will receive before deductions.
You can also fill out your EI report via phone, where you will have to provide the relevant details to the system from the other end of your phone call. However, this is only applicable to people who don’t have access to the internet.
How to Fill Your EI Report Online (Step-by-Step Guide)
Filling out your EI report online is relatively easy if you have all the requisite information at hand. All you have to do is to follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Enter the Reporting Portal
You can access the reporting portal via your My Service Canada Account, or you can search for “Internet Reporting Service EI” and click on the following result:
Once you do, it will take you to a page where you can submit your EI report online.
(Source)
After providing the three requisites—your SIN, access code, and province—you can now move to the next step.
Step 2: Acknowledgement
The next page offers essential, relevant information about the EI report you are about to fill, including the frequency of filing your report and payment dates.
It’s highly recommended that you go through the information provided before moving forward. You will have to acknowledge that you have gone through the information by clicking “I Accept”.
Step 3: Address and Direct Deposit Information
Here, you have two options:
- If you haven’t changed your address but instead retained the same direct deposit information that they used to send you the last payment, click “No” and proceed to the next step.
- If you have, you will need to update your account and provide Service Canada with the latest information so that the next EI payment reaches you without any complications.
You need to reconfirm your choice by clicking “I Accept” before moving on to the next step.
Step 4: Did You Leave the Country?
The government needs to know whether you were in the country for the working days that it’s paying you EI for.
If you left the country for any number of days during the week you are reporting for, you won’t get paid for those days.
Be truthful in your reporting, as a few days of docked pay is a minor issue compared to the consequences of deceiving the government about your presence in the country.
If you didn’t leave the country during the week, click “No” and continue.
If you left the country, provide the relevant information. Take note that the days are most important.
Confirm your answer by clicking “I Accept” in the acknowledgment step to move ahead.
Step 5: Self-Employment Income
Just like regular wages, the self-employment income you’ve earned in the week may impact the benefit payment you receive.
- Click “Yes” or “No” based on your self-employment status. If you were self-employed, you would need to provide relevant work and payment details.
- Click “Yes” or “No” depending on whether you worked or received any other payment during the period. If you worked during the week for which you will be paid at the end of the month, you need to mention it. You can’t click “No” simply because you haven’t been paid yet.
It’s important to note that if you are reporting your earnings, you must write the pre-tax earnings, rounded to the full dollar amount. If you have joined a proper job for which you haven’t been paid yet, multiply your hourly wage by the number of hours you have worked.
Step 6: Training
If you were in school, trade school, or any training program, you need to click “Yes” to provide information about two things:
- The total training or schooling hours you attended during the week, and
- The amount of allowance you received, excluding commute, relocation, and dependent allowance.
Step 7: Availability
The government needs to ensure that it’s paying you for a valid reason, i.e., that you can’t find a job even though you are willing, capable, and available to work.
If you weren’t available on any of the working days because you were taking care of someone or weren’t capable of working because you were sick, you need to report it on your availability tab.
Step 8: Other Money
Any other money received during the week needs to be mentioned if: 1) it’s related to employment and 2) you forgot or missed to mention it in the self-employment income question.
These earnings may include:
- Group wage-loss insurance, and
- Worker’s compensation benefits.
However, payments like:
- Alimony
- Lottery winnings
- Inheritance assets
If you haven’t received any eligible income, you can click “No” and proceed further. If you have, you will need to provide income details, including the amount, the payer, and the nature of the payment.
Step 9: Final Confirmation Statement
Once you’ve answered the final question, you will need to go through all the answers you have given and verify that they are correct.
It’s advisable to take your time on this page because once you click “I Accept,” your report will be submitted, and you won’t be able to change anything.
10: Review and Complete Report
Once you’ve completed your report, you will receive a confirmation notice and the date on which you can file your next report. Make sure to stick to that if you want to keep receiving your EI benefits.
11. Monitor your account
Check your Service Canada Account for updates on your EI claim every day, and see if there is any additional instructions or information you need to send to them.
Eligibility Criteria for EI
To be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in Canada, you must meet certain criteria. Here are the key eligibility requirements:
Employment and Work
You must have worked for a certain number of hours in the past year to qualify for EI benefits. The number of hours you need depends on where you live and the unemployment rate in your area. You can find out how many hours you need by using the EI Economic Region Finder on the Service Canada website.
Hours and Earnings
When you apply for EI benefits, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own and be available and able to work. You must also have worked enough hours in the past year and have earned enough money to qualify for benefits. You will need to provide information about your hours and earnings when you fill out your EI report online.
Self-Employed and Leave
If you are self-employed, you may be eligible for EI special benefits, such as maternity, parental, sickness, or compassionate care benefits. You must have registered for EI special benefits and have paid premiums in the past year to qualify. If you are taking leave from work to care for a newborn or adopted child, you may also be eligible for EI parental benefits.
Unemployed and Dismissed
If you have been dismissed from your job, you may still be eligible for EI benefits if your employer did not have just cause for dismissing you. If you quit your job, you may still be eligible for benefits if you had a good reason for leaving, such as harassment or a serious illness in your family.
Full-Time and Part-Time
You can receive EI benefits if you are working part-time, but your benefits will be reduced based on how much you earn. If you are working full-time, you may still be eligible for benefits if you have experienced a reduction in your hours or earnings. You will need to provide information about your work and earnings when you fill out your EI report online.
How to Apply for EI
To apply for EI benefits, you need to follow a few simple steps.
First, you need to register for a My Service Canada Account. This account will allow you to apply for EI benefits online and manage your account information. To register for a My Service Canada Account, you will need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) and some personal information.
Once you have registered for a My Service Canada Account, you can apply for EI benefits online. To apply, you will need to provide information about your employment history, training, education, and other factors that may help you qualify for EI benefits. You will also need to provide your contact information and the province of your residence.
When you apply for EI benefits, you will receive a benefit statement and access code by mail. You will need to use this access code to complete your EI reports and receive your benefits.
Receiving Your EI Benefits
Once you have completed and submitted your EI report online, you can expect to receive your benefits within a few business days. If you have signed up for direct deposit, your payments will be deposited directly into your bank account. If you have not signed up for direct deposit, a cheque will be mailed to you.
Your benefit statement will show how much you could receive and when you will receive it. You can view your benefit statement through your Service Canada account.
Maintaining Your EI Benefits
To maintain your Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, you need to complete a report every two weeks. This report shows that you are eligible and continues your benefits. Here are some tips to help you maintain your EI benefits:
Keep Records of Employment
When you apply for EI, your employer will provide you with a Record of Employment (ROE). This document contains important information such as your employment history, earnings, and reason for separation.
Report Any Income
You must report any income you earn while receiving EI benefits. This includes earnings from self-employment, part-time work, and casual work. You must report your income for the week it was earned, not the week you received payment.
Keep Your Mailing Address Up-to-Date
It’s important to keep your mailing address up-to-date with Service Canada. This ensures that you receive important correspondence related to your EI claim, such as your access code for online reporting. You can update your mailing address online or by contacting a Service Canada centre.
Report Changes to Your Employment Status
If you find a job while receiving EI benefits, you must report it to Service Canada. This includes part-time, full-time, temporary, or contract work. You must also report any changes to your employment status, such as a change in hours or pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I log in to my Service Canada account to fill out my EI report online?
To log in to your Service Canada account to fill out your EI report online, follow these steps:
- Go to the Service Canada website.
- Click on the “Sign in to My Service Canada Account” button.
- Enter your username and password.
- Click on the “Sign In” button.
How long will it take to complete my EI report online?
The time it takes to complete your EI report online can vary depending on your individual circumstances. However, it typically takes about 30 minutes to complete.
What happens after I submit my EI report online?
After you submit your EI report online, it will be processed by Service Canada. If there are any issues with your report, you will be contacted by Service Canada to resolve them. If your report is accepted, you will receive your EI benefits according to the schedule provided by Service Canada.
What should I do if I make a mistake on my EI report online?
If you make a mistake on your EI report online, you should contact Service Canada immediately to correct the mistake. You can do this by calling the EI call center at 1-800-206-7218. It is important to correct any mistakes as soon as possible to avoid any delays in receiving your EI benefits.
Conclusion
We hope these simple steps will help you fill out your next EI report online without any difficulty. The process will become much easier if you gather all the relevant data before starting your report. It’s vital that you fill out your EI reports promptly.
If we’ve missed anything or you want to suggest something else that we should add to this simple guide on how to fill out your EI report online, please comment and let us know. Share this article with your friends who might need help with the process of filling an EI Report online.
