EI and going home
 

Hi

I am currently on EI, but may have to go back to the UK for a few weeks. Obviously I won't be 'able and ready to work' or whatever it says on the website, should I tell them I am going :confused: will they stop my payments?

Re: EI and going home
 

Oh yeah - you'ld better tell them! You can't be drawing EI and going on holiday! Big No. No!:thumbdown:

Re: EI and going home
 

you have to tell them.

My boyfriend ( a canadian citizen) is currently on EI and made a trip to england for 2 weeks. He told them about it and they called him in for an interview to explain it. He wont get any EI money for the time he was out of the country and unable to look for work.

Last year he didnt tell them in advance but instead called them on his return. his file ended up being audited to check that they hadnt overpaid him. everything was fine in the end but it was a lot of unnecessary hassle

Re: EI and going home
 

My boyfriend is in the same position and i just asked him and he said exactly the same its so much hassle to not tell therm up front
x

Re: EI and going home
 

This may help

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/e....shtml#Divisor

Re: EI and going home
 

Hey. where do you think you're living, the UK?

Re: EI and going home
 

Thanks for that. I guess I have to tell them then. How would they know I wasn't here though?

Re: EI and going home
 

Everyone knows everyone in NS ;)

Re: EI and going home
 

Your passport will be checked electronically when you leave the country.

Apart from that if you want to defraud the State then carry on. You can then move on to more overt methods of stealing.

Re: EI and going home
 

By not telling them you would have committed fraud, you may get cut off from EI altogether or prosecuted. When you file your claim you would be making a statement that you are not out of the country, ready and willing to work.

If someone dobbs you in, then they will know. This is how they often find out, or the claimant does something stupid. Is it worth the risk for a couple of weeks EI?

If you are not a Canadian citizen then there is always the possibility of your status in Canada being revoked for fraud. Remote perhaps, but still a possibility.

Re: EI and going home
 

Thanks for the PM Louisecooke. I reserve the sympathy and understanding you mentioned for those not asking for advice on whether or not they can get away with fooling EI.

Your circumstances may deserve sympathy, fraud doesn't.

Re: EI and going home
 

I don't think Louise was asking how to commit fraud Fled !?!?!

I read it that it was a question as to how 'they' would know.

Re: EI and going home
 

Doesn't someone on EI have to log how many jobs thjey have applied for and the results, etc? How would you account for the missing 2 weeks.

Also, YOU would know you weren't here. Sometimes it's not about being caught - you would probably get away with it (well 75%) chance - but you would know that you essentially defrauded the state - which means all those who pay taxes!

Re: EI and going home
 

Well if I am wrong then I apologise, but why ask how they would know,would they stop her payments, and then say "I guess I have to tell them" if that's what you were going to do in the first place?

Re: EI and going home
 

Chapter 8, verse 7. :p

Re: EI and going home
 

EI in my experience does not ask for the number of places one has applied, only that you are able, and willing to work.


Technically EI isn't paid via taxes but premiums everyone who has a job pays, and is insurance program and not social assistance.

Re: EI and going home
 

My wife had to show evidence in writing of actual job positions, applications and interviews each ei payment period.

Technically if you have a job and are paying EI, then you are 99% likely to be paying taxes - but I quibble.

The point I was making was that the individual is aware when they are being dishonest and in the end it comes down to their own conscience, whether or not they get caught.

Re: EI and going home
 

Why would you want to know that if you weren't trying to "pull a fast one". Rest assured, "they" do know. Others have already said that. As a tax payer I'm glad that "they" do know !

Re: EI and going home
 

Must vary by location, all my wife had to was answer a couple questions online every 2 weeks, and that was it. Never had to show anything, but maybe it varies based on unemployment rate.

Re: EI and going home
 

I personally think that if you're just going to visit the UK for 10-14 days then don't tell them. I don't think the different departments talk to each other as much as you think, and I've never had any checks upon leaving Canada. It's probably more hassle to tell them.

However if you intend to go away for 3-6 + weeks. Then you are obligated to tell them I reckon. Just my opinion.

Re: EI and going home
 

I give up. That's it from me for a while.

Re: EI and going home
 

FYI:

www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/publications/fraud.pdf

Re: EI and going home
 

You are obligated to tell them if you are out of the country for a day. What you are suggesting is breaking the law and fraud.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/e...ml#individuals

Re: EI and going home
 

Hi Louise - my OH was on EI during which time we went to the States for 10 days (holiday booked before he got made redundant). We ticked the box that he was not able to work that period of time and they stopped the payment for a couple of weeks and resumed it when we returned.

I try and be as honest as possible when dealing with government folk ... but that's me. You have to do what you feel comfortable with but you must realise that EI is paid out, generally in good faith, by the government to assist people whilst they are looking for work - not taking a holiday. After all some people don't even get holiday pay from their employers!

J :)

Re: EI and going home
 

Thank you for all those that have given helpful replies and for clarifying the position which is all I asked. I wish it was a holiday that is making me go back :( if I do go back that is. However, rest assured if I do I will be declaring that fact :)

Re: EI and going home
 

If you advise them of the reason, usually they stop your EI payments for that period and add it on to the end, so you don't lose out in the long run if you are on EI for your full entitlement.

Re: EI and going home
 

there is something called medical leave where your EI payments continue but i dont know much about it.

Re: EI and going home
 

You have to be sick for that and have a doctor sign off on it.

Re: EI and going home
 

Apologies Louise - I should not have assumed .... hope things work out for you ... not least that you find a job sometime soon :) OH has been out of work since May and it's quite scary the amount of jobs he's applied for.

If it isn't a holiday then maybe a quick chat with the EI people will help sort out any confusion you may have. We had to call to clarify something with them and spoke of a v helpful person.

Take care, J :)

Re: EI and going home
 

Flouncing?

Re: EI and going home
 

Can I have all your stuff?

Re: EI and going home
 

paper rock sissors!