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 insurable earnings and insurable hours requirement.

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 insurable earnings and insurable hours requirement under special benefits criteria.

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

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