Do I qualify for EI if I still work in a part-time job

To determine if you qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) in Canada while working a part-time job, consider several key factors. Firstly, you must have accumulated a certain number of insurable hours in the last 52 weeks or since your last claim, which generally ranges between 420 to 700 hours, depending on the unemployment rate in your region. Your eligibility can also depend on the nature of your part-time work; if you are working part-time involuntarily because full-time work is unavailable, you may still qualify for EI benefits. However, voluntarily choosing to work part-time can impact your eligibility.

Additionally, while receiving EI benefits, you are allowed to earn income from part-time work, but this can lead to a reduction in your benefits. There’s a provision that lets you retain 50 cents of your benefits for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of your previous weekly insurable earnings. Any earnings above this threshold will be deducted dollar-for-dollar from your benefits. It’s crucial to report your earnings and hours worked bi-weekly. For the most accurate and tailored advice, it’s advisable to contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) or check their official website, as they can provide guidance specific to your situation and region.

Many people have asked if they can still be qualified for employment insurance benefits if they have been separated from their main job or one of the two jobs they worked.

Under the current regular EI rule, a person must have  7 consecutive days of separation from work to qualify for regular EI Therefore, the answer is yes. As long as one of the jobs you worked has 7 consecutive days of no work, you have then met the “Interruption of earning” criteria. You will still need to meet the requirements for insurable earnings and hours.

For special EI benefits, such as sickness, maternity/parental or compassionate care, if you have a drop of income below 60% of your average normal weekly earnings, you can qualify without meeting the 7 consecutive days rule. You will still need to meet the requirements for insurable earnings and hours under special benefits criteria.

Once again, if there is a separation, you must request a Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer.

The “Working While on Claim” program allows you to keep receiving EI benefits while working part-time, but a portion of your earnings will be deducted.

How Your EI Benefits Are Reduced

• You can keep 50% of your earnings from your part-time job, up to 90% of your previous weekly earnings before EI starts deducting dollar-for-dollar.
• Once you earn more than 90% of your previous weekly earnings, your EI benefits will be reduced dollar-for-dollar.

Example Calculation

• Suppose your weekly EI benefit is $500.
• You find a part-time job paying $300 per week.
• You can keep 50% of your earnings, so $150 is deducted from your EI.
• Your new EI payment would be $500 – $150 = $350.
• Your total income for the week would be $350 (EI) + $300 (wages) = $650.

What You Must Do

• Report your earnings on your EI report every two weeks.
• Keep track of your hours and pay stubs to avoid overpayments.

Important Notes

• If you work full-time, your EI benefits will stop.
• If you quit your part-time job without just cause, your EI might be affected.
• Special rules may apply if you’re on maternity, parental, or sickness EI benefits.

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