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Ontario|Employment LawEmployment Insurance 612 Requirements to continue receiving benefits Employment Insurance benefits are paid to people who are looking for work and who are not earning an income. You are not entitled to receive benefits without meeting these two requirements. To make sure that you do meet these requirements, Human Resources Development Canada has a reporting system that must be followed.
The reporting system requires you to fill out a card, called a claimant report, and file it with the Human Resources Development Canada office that is handling your claim.
You will be required to explain how you have been looking for work, which includes reading the paper, making calls and applying for jobs that are suited to you. You are also required to report any other income or employment you get while receiving benefits, which may reduce the amount of benefits you are entitled to. You should also be aware that if you leave the country your benefits may be suspended for as long as you are out of Canada.
There are three ways to file a claimant report: by dropping it off, by mail or by a telephone with touch-tone service. You should receive claimant report cards in the mail before you receive your first Employment Insurance payment.
If touch-tone filing is available in your area, you will get information about it in the mail a couple of weeks after you apply for benefits. If you choose to use touch-tone filing, you will only be able to receive your cheques by direct deposit. If you arrange for direct deposit, your benefits will be put straight into your bank account.
If you make a false statement at any time while applying for benefits or reporting your situation, there may be penalties that include losing your benefits, having to pay back money you collected, or being prosecuted for a criminal offence. If you forget to report something or make a mistake in reporting, you should tell your Employment Insurance officer immediately. As long as you come forward on your own, and they have not started to investigate you, the officer can decide not to penalize you or prosecute you.
If you are unsure about the requirements you must meet while you are receiving benefits, you should contact your Employment Insurance officer.
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