Employment insurance (EI) and teachers

Regular benefits

Regular benefits are available to you if you

• have lost your job through no fault of your own,
• are able to work and
• are temporarily unable to find work.

You are eligible to apply for regular benefits if you

• have paid EI premiums,
• have been without work for at least seven consecutive days and
• have worked a specified number of hours based on the unemployment rate in your area.

If you are approved for regular benefits, you must

• “actively seek employment” throughout a claim and
• keep records of your job search for EI audit purposes.

Special benefits

Special benefits are available in these situations:

• Maternity leave
• Parental/adoption leave
• Sickness benefits
• Compassionate care benefits

Special benefit periods sometimes happen during regular benefit periods. To determine if you qualify for combined benefits, contact Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218.

Generally, your EI benefits depend on your contract status.

Are you a substitute teacher, a part-time teacher or a teacher who works only a portion of a full year? Keep a record of your weekly hours in case you need it for EI. For more information, refer to this article from the ATA News.