Please be advised that this site is not affiliated with the Service Canada office.
It was created to provide general EI information only.
8 easy steps to contact EI call centre agent
Service Canada EI call centre phone number: 1-800-206-7218
To effectively reach a call center agent, follow these detailed instructions:
Initial Call and Language Selection
1. **Dialing In**: Begin by calling the provided number. After the system message plays, select your preferred language: Press 1 for English or 2 for French.
Listening to the General EI Message
2. **EI Message**: Upon language selection, a general Employment Insurance (EI) message will be played, narrated by a female voice. It’s essential to listen to this entire message without interruption to proceed correctly.
Social Insurance Number (SIN) Instructions
3. **SIN Entry**: After the EI message, the system will prompt you to enter your Social Insurance Number (SIN). Here’s a crucial step: Do not enter your SIN. Instead, wait for a minimum of five seconds. This pause is necessary to bypass this step and get directed to the main menu.
Connecting to an Agent
4. **Main Menu Navigation**: Once at the main menu, you should act quickly. Press “0” immediately to attempt to connect to a call center agent.
5. **Busy Lines**: If you find the lines are too busy, press “1” to return to the main menu. Then, keep pressing “0” to try connecting again.
6. **Disconnection Issues**: Due to high call volumes, the system may be overwhelmed, and you could receive a message indicating a disconnection. If this happens, unfortunately, there’s no other way to refresh the line other than to call back and start over from step 1.
Repeated Attempts
7. **Persistence is Key**: If you are unsuccessful in connecting, it’s crucial to be persistent. Repeat step 4, continually attempting to place your call into the waiting sequence.
8. **System Unavailability**: In cases of extreme call volume, if the system communicates an inability to connect you to a call agent, it’s advised to hang up and try again.
Additional Information
**In-Person Visits**: It’s important to note that visiting the in-person offices for claim information is not recommended. Agents at local offices function as receiving agents only; they do not have the authority to finalize claims.
-**Post-Holiday Call Volumes**: Be aware that after any holiday, the call volume experiences a significant surge. Callers may face extended wait times, sometimes exceeding 45 minutes, and encounter frequent disconnections.
Optimal Times for Calling EI Call Centre
– Weekdays: The best times to call are from Monday to Friday, specifically between 8:30 am and 9:30 am.
– Midweek Availability: Wednesday and Thursday are generally less busy throughout the day.
– Post-Holiday Advice: It’s advisable to avoid calling right after a Monday long weekend, as this is when call volumes are at their peak.
**Alternative Contact Method: Online E-Form**
– You can also reach out through the Canada.ca website using the EI office’s E-form. Simply copy and paste this link into your browser: [www.canada.ca/service-canada-e-service](http://www.canada.ca/service-canada-e-service). This link directs you to their secure online form portal, located at [https://sr-ds.powerappsportals.com/caseintakeen/](https://sr-ds.powerappsportals.com/caseintakeen/).
**Assistance for Claimants without Internet Access**
– If you lack internet access and require assistance with completing Service Canada forms or applications, help is available from the Service Canada Outreach Support Centre. Contact them via telephone, selecting the number appropriate for your province.
**Role of Local Service Canada Centres**
– It’s important to understand that local Service Canada centres are not EI processing offices. They serve as receiving offices only. The agents at these centres are tasked with forwarding any supporting documents to the EI processing office but do not have the capability to assist with claim follow-ups.
**Contacting from Outside Canada**
– For those needing to contact the EI call center from outside Canada, it’s vital to know that 1-800-Collect calls are not accepted, and no local telephone number is publicly available. For instructions on calling from overseas, please visit the relevant post on our website.
In conclusion, these comprehensive steps and tips are designed to guide you through the process of connecting with an EI call centre agent, while also providing alternative methods and crucial information regarding the best times to call and how to handle busy lines. For further assistance, especially if you lack internet access or are calling from overseas, specific provisions have been outlined.
Click Here: Service Canada Outreach Support Centre Telephone Number
Role of Service Canada centre
The local Service Canada centres are not an EI processing office and are closed. They are a receiving office only.
The agents at the local offices do not process EI claim. Their role is to forward any supporting documents to EI processing office. They will not be able to help you follow up with your claim. You must call EI call centre for follow up.
Recommend read: Passport Canada Wait Time
I cannot believe I had to wait almost 45 minutes to speak to someone. They put me on hold for 3 to 5 minuyes, came back on the line to say thank you for holding and then the call dropped and not from my end. How fair is this? They should have our numbers to call us back if that happens. Jeanette Kosnaski
This is a very common issue in January after the holiday break. There is usually a very high number of callers in January and their phone system can’t seems to handle the heavy load 🙁
I also have a lot going on today and i needed this dealt with asap and in the years past doing this one thing was resolved in minutes. Why dont you guys have our numbers to call us back. Someone I spoke to before there told me you have our numbers in case this happens. Like come on.
Im in canada and called the 1800 number. Was on the phone for an hour, and got charged long distance fees for calling outside the country. How is this possible or is it because the person I spoke to is working at home out side the country. I shouldn’t have to pay these fees.
Hello Kimberly,
We would suggest you to check with your phone provider to find out the reason of the charges. EI call centre’s toll free number is 1-800-206-7218. Our experience tells us that sometimes there are Canadians living in the border city where their cellphone tower signal get mixed up with United States’. Suddenly their call becomes long distance call.
Aaron M.
UnemploymentCanada.ca Team
I need to speak to an agent about my EI claim but I in school from 7-4. I cannot afford to be on hold for 45min to an hour so how am I suppose to contact someone if EI is closed when I start and get off school??
Hi Anthony,
If you are talking about Eastern Time, what you can try to do is to use Skype phone to call EI call centre and see if you can get connected to the Western region call centre who are 3 hours behind Eastern Time. If you call through your local phone, your phone area code will connect you to the dedicated province of your time zone.
Melyssa
UnemploymentCanada.ca Team
Been trying to call since Monday and I keep getting they are closed messages. I’ve been calling since 8:30 am.i really need to speak to an agent
Hello Tina,
EI call centre has been really difficult to call lately. Again, best time to call is always Thursday and Friday after 3pm. Try to avoid lunch time, because EI call centre agents need to eat lunch too, so there will be less ppl picking up calls.
Melyssa
UnemploymentCanada.ca Team
Can I call EI on 21-Feb-21(family day )or the office is closed due to holiday from Toronto(1-800-206-7218)
Thank you
Yes! Family Day is a provincial holidays, it’s the best time to call EI call centre. Wait time is less than 10 minute usually!
Aaron
UnemploymentCanada.ca Team
Every time I phone service canada I get a different answer
It is possible, sometimes some call centre agents don’t read your file carefully and interpreted the situation differently. Therefore, you must always keep track of your conversation with every agents you spoke to.
Aaron
UnemploymentCanada.ca Team
Iyt really hard to keep track of every1 a person talks to that being said y iys the iynfo on the automated system out of date says iyts updated nytley iynformation I’ve byn getting iys as of the 11th yet
Y r the lokal offices being so unhelpfull had to apply by phone bad nuff tried to set up a my service account was told by 800 oh canada they wood help they refused to do so I don’t have access to a PC only option iys a libraries not able to access one because of Vax status so inspyte of haven a condition wych the Vax maybe harmful peepole r b-iyn denied access to there iynf can’t even look at a screen that there reading from thys iys no way to treat people who have the stress of b-iyn out of work
I applied November 5th, IT’S BEEN 5 MONTHS!!!!! I still have not received anything since. WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG!!! AND I AM PREGNANT
Hi Mariah,
We have many readers sharing the same experience, some even had to wait up to 6 months to finally see their claim finalized. You may want to contact your local MP’s office for assistance.
Melyssa
UnemploymentCanada.ca team
Omg it’s been 4 months for me and I thought that was bad!
I now live in England and want to change my address with CPP/OAS Two day’s with about and 45 mins with international charges.
It seems impossible. No official Canadian address for Service Canada to write to.?
hello Brian,
You may find the information at https://www.pensioncanada.ca/contacting-the-cpp-oas-office-from-oversea/
Briefly speaking, you can use 1-800-Collect call to dial CPP/OAS office for free. The agent on the phone can help update your foreign country address.
John T.
UnemploymentCanada.ca Team
These comments are making me nervous… I applied online and got a message saying my application was received. A month ago. Do I still have 3-4 months of misery left? I’m already on the verge mentally.
Hello Patricia,
The EI automated system will tell you that EI processing office will finalize your claim within 28 days, but it all depend on the complication of the claim. If you are missing ROE or if the claim requires EI processing agent to look into, it will most likely go beyond the 28 days processing time. Therefore you must ensure to actively follow up the status of your claim starting the 29th day. Make sure to call EI call centre to inquire.
Melyssa
UnemploymentCanada.ca Team
I got a new bank account number on Mar. 30, 2023. I posted the change online thru my bank around Apr. 15th but did not get my OAS or CPP deposited to my new account in April? Will this be deposited soon?
Hello Patricia,
You need to contact pension call centre at 1-800-277-9914 to inquire about the banking information.
Aaron
UnemploymentCanada.ca Team
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