Everything You Need to Know about Submitting an E.I. Reconsideration Request
By: Soheila Azimi, DVCLS Employment Team’s Student Intern, Queen’s Law ’24.
Being terminated from a job is difficult for everyone. Luckily, the Government of Canada has resources like Employment Insurance Benefits to provide you with financial assistance until you secure a new job.
You can apply for Employment Insurance (E.I.) immediately after being fired from your job by filling out the application on the Service Canada website and providing all of the required information with your application. It usually takes 28 days to hear back from the Employment Insurance Commission with their decision on your application.
My Application was Denied, What Now?
It is not uncommon for E.I. applications to be denied. In the letter you receive, the Employment Insurance Commission will always let you know the reason for their decision to deny you E.I. benefits.
Common reasons E.I. is denied include:
- You worked less than 700 Insurable Hours
- You voluntarily quit your job
- You were terminated for misconduct or just cause
- You failed to apply within 4 weeks of being terminated
It is important to know that your entitlement to E.I. benefits does not stop with the Commission’s initial denial of your benefits. Your letter will state that if you disagree with the decision reached by the Commission, you can request a reconsideration of your application within 30 days of receiving your letter.
The Reconsideration Process
The process involved with submitting a formal request for reconsideration can be confusing and challenging, especially if you are a newcomer or a vulnerable worker.
So, it is always worth getting advice first from a legal clinic who can help guide you through what is required, how to prepare your documents for submission, and helping you understand on what grounds you should request reconsideration. You can find a lawyer at your local clinic in Ontario here.
You should request reconsideration of an E.I. decision if you believe that you have new information that the Commission should have taken into consideration. It is completely free to request reconsideration.
Steps for Submitting Formal Reconsideration Request
1) You must fill out, sign, and print the Reconsideration Form. This form must be included in your reconsideration application.
- Make sure you include your reason(s) for requesting reconsideration. The Form provides a small box in Section 3 to do this BUT you are not limited to only the space in that box
- You can instead include a separate letter in which you write or type your reason(s) for requesting reconsideration
- Simply write “Please see enclosed letter” if you will be including a separate letter stating your reasons
2) Compile all documents that you will be using as evidence to support your reason(s) for requesting reconsideration, including copies of:
- Paystubs, medical documents, employment agreements, termination letters, relevant text messages and e-mails, etc.
3) Mail your Reconsideration Form and all of your supporting documents to:
For Residents of Ontario:
Service Canada Centre
P.O. Box 2602
Mississauga, ON
L4T 0B1
For Residents of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Yukon:
Service Canada Centre
P.O. Box 245
Edmonton, AB
T5J 2J1
For Residents of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador:
Service Canada Centre
P.O. Box 8548
St. John’s, NL
A1B 3P3
For Residents of Quebec:
Service Canada Centre
P.O. Box 60
Boucherville, QC
J4B 5E6
When Do I Hear Back?
Unfortunately, there is no fixed timeline by which Service Canada must give you an answer. It can take several weeks or longer to hear back on your Reconsideration Request.
This is legal information and not legal advice. If you need further information or need legal advice, please call our Intake Line at 416-441-1764 ext. 1 or complete our online Intake Form.