Converting from sickness to regular EI

Once you are recovered from your illness and ready to start looking for work, you can request to convert your claim back to regular EI by calling EI call centre or re-apply online. This time, you have to submit another doctor’s note to confirm that you have been recovered and is ready to work. You claim will not be converted successfully if you don’t submit the note or the doctor did not precise a specific recovery date.

To qualify for regular EI, claimant must make sure they have accumulate enough insurable earnings and hours to qualify regular benefits. If you started your claim as regular benefits, converted to sickness benefits and are converting back to regular EI, you should have no problem qualifying for regular EI.

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You do not have to re-submit any ROE. There will be another 21 days of wait time for EI processing to take action for your conversion. No payment will be issued while waiting. You can only follow up on the status of your conversion by going into your My Service Canada Account or by calling EI call centre. Make sure to promptly follow up on the status of your claim as there are many case where claim processing has been delayed!

Once your claim is active under regular EI, you will have to answer you are available to work in your online EI report.