Employment insurance (EI) and teachers

Federal employment insurance

Specific information about employment insurance (EI) for teachers is available from the Government of Canada

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Regular benefits

Regular benefits are available to you if you

  • have lost your job through no fault of your own,
  • are able to work and
  • are temporarily unable to find work.

You are eligible to apply for regular benefits if you

  • have paid EI premiums,
  • have been without work for at least seven consecutive days and
  • have worked a specified number of hours based on the unemployment rate in your area.

If you are approved for regular benefits, you must

  • “actively seek employment” throughout a claim and
  • keep records of your job search for EI audit purposes.

Special benefits

Special benefits are available in these situations:

  • Maternity leave
  • Parental/adoption leave
  • Sickness benefits
  • Compassionate care benefits

Special benefit periods sometimes happen during regular benefit periods. To determine if you qualify for combined benefits, contact Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218.

Generally, your EI benefits depend on your contract status.

Are you a substitute teacher, a part-time teacher or a teacher who works only a portion of a full year? Keep a record of your weekly hours in case you need it for EI. For more information, refer to this article from the ATA News.