Can a PR collect EI?

[thai/peg]

My husband is a painter and will probably be out of work for a month or two during the winter. He has only been a PR for 10 months. I am assuming that PR's cannot collect Employment insurance because as his sponsor I am required to support him for three years. Is this correct? He has been making contributions to EI since May which are deductied from every paycheck

 

[ditta]

He can collect EI as a PR, so don`t worry about this. Even if someone is on a work permit has the right to collect EI.

 

[thai/peg]

Thanks for the reply. But doesnt it say on the sponsorship agreement that the person you are sponsoring cannot apply for government support (like welfare), and if they do the sponsor will be charged for the amount that was given?

 

[Kess]

Thanks for the reply. But doesnt it say on the sponsorship agreement that the person you are sponsoring cannot apply for government support (like welfare), and if they do the sponsor will be charged for the amount that was given?

Employment Insurance (EI) is something paid for by employees through their payroll deductions that goes to a specific fund. It's an insurance for when the employee is out of work due to labour market factors (eg being laid off.

Welface/Social assistance is not paid into by the employee aside from through paying regular taxes. It is considered government support.

I haven't read anywhere of a sponsor being required to pay back EI payments.

 

[rjessome]

Thanks for the reply. But doesnt it say on the sponsorship agreement that the person you are sponsoring cannot apply for government support (like welfare), and if they do the sponsor will be charged for the amount that was given?

EI is not social assistance. It's an insurance plan you pay into against being out of work. If your husband contributed to the plan and has worked the required number of hours to be eligible, he can apply for and receive benefits without worrying that the sponsor must pay back whatever monies he receives.

 

[thai/peg]

This is what I thought but just wanted to make sure. Thanks so much. i don't know what we would have ever done without this forum.

 

[arron]

Yeah, the only thing that CIC defines as 'government support' is welfare, whatever they call it where you live. Note that this does not include disability support, even though disabliity is usually processed through the same office as welfare.

Child tax credit, EI, Subsidized housing, child care supplement and subsidized child care, any sort of government support that isn't welfare is ok.