Got laid off from work, is Employment Insurance a bad idea?

[natiqu]

I worked in the Oil and Gas industry in northern Alberta and most of you are probably aware the oil price has dropped, thus a lot of us got laid off, I got laid off 2 days ago. Since I was not fired I am able to go on EI but Im not sure if its a good idea or not as I don't want to screw up the application.

Has anyone had any experience or knowledge if EI is a bad option while sponsoring a partner?

Backstory
I sponsored my wife in late 2013, she's in Pakistan atm. We just received a request for her medical.
So everything is underway with her application, clearly when i applied i had a stable job which i held until 2 days ago. Most likely I will be rehired by the same company when the price of oil rises but until then I was looking to go onto EI (Til I get a temp job). They gave me a pretty nice package to walk away so I can survive without EI but obviously I rather be on EI as I contributed.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I worked in the Oil and Gas industry in northern Alberta and most of you are probably aware the oil price has dropped, thus a lot of us got laid off, I got laid off 2 days ago. Since I was not fired I am able to go on EI but Im not sure if its a good idea or not as I don't want to screw up the application.

Has anyone had any experience or knowledge if EI is a bad option while sponsoring a partner?

Backstory
I sponsored my wife in late 2013, she's in Pakistan atm. We just received a request for her medical.
So everything is underway with her application, clearly when i applied i had a stable job which i held until 2 days ago. Most likely I will be rehired by the same company when the price of oil rises but until then I was looking to go onto EI (Til I get a temp job). They gave me a pretty nice package to walk away so I can survive without EI but obviously I rather be on EI as I contributed.

1. EI is fine. It is an insurance scheme, you paid the money in while working and now when you are unemployed, you collect.

 

[bigredmoose]

I worked in the Oil and Gas industry in northern Alberta and most of you are probably aware the oil price has dropped, thus a lot of us got laid off, I got laid off 2 days ago. Since I was not fired I am able to go on EI but Im not sure if its a good idea or not as I don't want to screw up the application.

Has anyone had any experience or knowledge if EI is a bad option while sponsoring a partner?

Backstory
I sponsored my wife in late 2013, she's in Pakistan atm. We just received a request for her medical.
So everything is underway with her application, clearly when i applied i had a stable job which i held until 2 days ago. Most likely I will be rehired by the same company when the price of oil rises but until then I was looking to go onto EI (Til I get a temp job). They gave me a pretty nice package to walk away so I can survive without EI but obviously I rather be on EI as I contributed.

Take the EI! You're entitled to it and it won't affect your sponsorship.