Deferring EI

[nskatcv]

Case in Question

1. Person lost job due to mass layoff by Employer, so eligible for EI
2. Applied for EI, Service Canada approved payouts for 36 weeks, with a start (in Sep 2024), and end date (in 2026)
3. Person had to immediately go outside Canada (North America) for some unavoidable long trip (several months)

I believe the policy is that the person must be physically in Canada to receive payments.

Question is:

1. Can the person still get all his 36 EI payouts once he is back to Canada in mid-2025?
2. Does the person still need to fill online reporting, even he is outside, or can we start doing them once back in Canada?
3. Any other thing to watch out?

Thanks for reading and your help.

 

[chris_j11]

i have the same questions - hopefully someone here answers them

 

[nskatcv]

i have the same questions - hopefully someone here answers them

From the info I have been able to gather so far,

1. Can the person still get all his 36 EI payouts once he is back to Canada in mid-2025?
Apparently yes, for the period which is within the expiration date.

2. Does the person still need to fill online reporting, even he is outside, or can we start doing them once back in Canada?
No, when outside. Have to call EI office when back to start reporting.
Also no, until any severance pay from the employer is not exhausted. Once exhausted, one may reapply for EI.

 

[chris_j11]

is calling necessary - can i just include it on my by-weekly report as mentioned in the google quotes below:
"You must also notify us of your travel on My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or through your bi-weekly report"