Employment Insurance Seminar Employment Insurance Seminar Navigating the EI Claim Process for Teachers Teaching on Call BC Teachers’ Federation

Acknowledgement  g of Traditional  Territory

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Objectives The objective of this seminar is to provide  The objective of this seminar is to provide teachers with the information they need to 

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make effective, error‐free applications for  employment insurance maximize their benefits extend those benefits throughout the school  year. 3

Outline 

Sh ld I Should I apply? l ?

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Do I qualify? q y

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What are my benefits?

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How do I apply?

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H d I How do I maintain my claim? i i l i ?

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How do I deal with problems? How do I deal with problems?

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Summary.

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Should I apply? Employment Insurance is an entitlement! Employment Insurance is an entitlement! 

You pay premiums.

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The employer pays premiums.

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EI equalizes and subsidizes low TTOC incomes. 5

Should I apply? EI is more than wage replacement EI is more than wage replacement, 

it covers non‐teaching breaks

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it covers “slow periods”

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it provides sick leave to TTOCs

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it covers sick days under regular benefits and  it covers sick days under regular benefits and up to an additional 15 weeks under sickness  benefits EI is the best insurance plan for TTOCs.

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Do I qualify? To qualify, you q y, y 1.

must have experienced an interruption in  earnings i e for seven consecutive days earnings, i.e. for seven consecutive days or

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must have completed a temporary contract , and  no prospect of being called out for the next no prospect of being called out for the next  seven days.

Note: the acceptance or rejection of a future contract (verbal or  h f f ( b l written) may impact your eligibility for a claim. 7

Do I qualify? 3 must have enough hours 3. must have enough hours 

the number of required hours depends on your region, but  will be between 420 700 hours in the last 52 weeks or will be between 420–700 hours in the last 52 weeks or  since the start if your last EI Claim (whichever is shorter)

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under EI rules in place until July 1,2016, if a claimant did  under EI rules in place until July 1 2016 if a claimant did not work at least 490 hours in the 52 week period before  that (so 53–104 weeks ago), then the claimant needs 910  hours instead of 420–700

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one public school teaching day equals 9.1 hours; 700 hours  is 77 teaching days and 910 hours is 100 teaching days.  8

Break down of FTE 

9.1 is a full teaching day, regardless of what  your paystub may list.

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0 6 FTE of a day = 5 5 hours 0.6 FTE of a day = 5.5 hours

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0.5 FTE of a day = 4.6 hours

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0.4 FTE of a day = 3.7 hours

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0.25 FTE of a day = 2.3 hours

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Check with your local regarding TTOC FTE  Check with your local regarding TTOC FTE callouts.

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What are the benefits? 1.

55% of average gross earnings of 14–22 best  55% f i f 14 22 b t weeks over last 53 weeks—maximum of $537  per week. k

e.g., g,$ $15,000/22 weeks = $682  , / $ $682 X 55% = $375

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Working While on Claim (WWC) Under the Working While on Claim (WWC) pilot project,  Under the Working While on Claim (WWC) pilot project once you have served the waiting period, if your earnings  are equal to, or less than, 90% of your weekly earnings that  were used to calculate your benefit rate, your benefits will  be reduced at a rate of 50% of your earnings each week.  Any earnings that exceed this 90% threshold will be Any earnings that exceed this 90% threshold will be  deducted dollar for dollar from your benefits. Pilot in effect until at least 2018.

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Example Isabelle collects EI benefits. She receives the maximum  amount allowed, which is $537 a week. During her benefit  $ period, she finds part‐time work for $10 an hour. She  works 20 hours a week earning a total of $200 Therefore works 20 hours a week, earning a total of $200. Therefore,  her benefits will be reduced by $100 ($200 x 50% = $100).  She will be paid $437 (benefit rate $537 ‐ $100 = $437). When you work and receive benefits at the same time,  you must not combine the hours and earnings of more you must not combine the hours and earnings of more  than one week. It is essential that you report your work  earnings and hours during the week in which you worked. 12

How many weeks of EI will I get?

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How do I apply? Step 1—Record of Employment (ROE) 

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School districts must issue a ROE to all  TTOCs.  TTOCs Check your ROE (www.servicecanada.gc.ca)  online. It will usually be submitted electronically It will usually be submitted electronically.          You may have to request your ROE. Ask your  y q y y local president as to the process in your  district.

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How do I apply? Step 2—Check the  accuracy The ROE is the single most  important document in important document in  EI. You must verify  first/last day worked  total insurable hours  total insurable earnings  reason for issuing: code,  comment and date of comment, and date of  recall—unknown. 15

How do I apply? Step 2—When Step 2 When and where? and where? 

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You have up to four weeks after the last day  worked. You may use the computer at your local  You may use the computer at your local Service Canada Centre to apply. Expect to receive benefits within 28 days from  the day they receive your claim. 16

How do I apply? Step 3—Getting Step 3 Getting organized organized Work out:  your average weekly earnings over the last 53  weeks  your best 14–22 weeks over the last 53  y weeks if your rate was variable  separate hours for contract and TTOC,  separate ROEs. separate ROEs. 17

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The Service Canada application process

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Confirmation number Confirmation number

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20/06/2013

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Record of Employment Record of Employment 

Most employers send an electronic version Most employers send an electronic version.

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Applicants may have more than one ROE.

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Please ensure that hours are correct.

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Contract and TTOC ROEs are separate and  entered as separate employers.  The ROE with the most hours is entered first.  35

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Some Questions Asked: 

Quebec Parental Insurance.

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Workers’ Compensation Payments.

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Pensions.

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Tutoring may be considered self‐employment Tutoring may be considered self employment if you pay your own taxes, EI, and CPP. if you pay your own taxes, EI, and CPP.

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If you answer “yes,” to taking courses or training, you will be taken to a screen  with various time commitments to your courses, including studying. For larger  time commitments, a further screen asks for course details. This may impact your  claim. l i 42

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Break B k

Keeping your claim open Keeping your claim open 

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Report your earnings and hours worked every  Report your earnings and hours worked every two weeks.

Let Service Canada know if you are out of the  Let Service Canada know if you are out of the country, or if you are upgrading by taking a  course. course

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How do I maintain my claim? 

Be available for work Be available for work.

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Be actively seeking work –

e‐mail, phone, or fax 5–7 employers per week

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use the job bank at www.jobbank.gc.ca j j g

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fill out a Job Search log (attached).

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Occasional claimant

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Frequent claimant q

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Job log screenshot

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How do I maintain my claim? How do I maintain my claim? Job search Job search 

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During non‐teaching periods, search for non‐ teaching jobs. Must be unable to find work. Log  Must be unable to find work Log “results” results   must read: No response, position filled, or  nothing available nothing available. Must keep records for seven years. 53

Criteria for suitable employment Criteria for suitable employment Non‐variable:  capability  suitability of hours  nature of work (morals and religion)  daily commute. Variable criteria:  income  type of work. 54

The EI reporting process h i

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Maintaining your claim with Service Canada Every two weeks  you must report  your work status  and earnings. This is and earnings.  This is  the Internet  Reporting Service  panel that you will panel that you will  see when you go to  report.

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Internet reporting service 

These questions will be asked every time you do your report.  Read  These questions will be asked every time you do your report Read them very carefully to make sure you answer correctly. 57

Training vs. Work

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Training Schedule

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Training Approval

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Additional Information 

Reporting your work and wages.  If you worked at all and  earned money during the two week period, you must  report it.

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Reporting your weekly work and wages You will need to  report each week  h k separately.  You will  also be asked if you  began a full‐time job  during this period.  If  you accepted a you accepted a  contract during this  period, you must  answer “Yes” to the  “Y ” t th question.

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Reporting your weekly work and wages You will need to  You will need to report the number  of hours that you  y worked and the  gross amount that  you earned. (This  is the amount  before any before any  deductions).

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Employer information

Who did you work for in weeks one and two?  The information is put  i thi in this panel.  There is room for more than one employer if you  l Th i f th l if worked for more than one employer during this two week period. 64

Stopped working During this two‐ week period, have  you stopped  working for any  e p oye employer?  This  s would be if you  were laid off, quit, or were fired If or were fired.  If  you are just taking a  couple of weeks off  from working a  part‐time job, you  haven’t stopped  pp working. 65

Recap of work  and wages and wages This is a recap of your  ans ers to the q estions answers to the questions  on the previous panels.   Check these answers and  make sure they are  k th correct.  You can use the  previous or back tab at  the bottom of the page to  h b f h correct any answer.  This is  also your confirmation  that all the information is  correct and you are  stating that you are  entitled to EI benefits. 66

The final panel—Continuing with bi‐weekly reporting

This panel gives you tips on how to complete your reports bi‐weekly.  There is also  information on job searches. 67

Extending through the year Extending through the year When you've When you ve completed your two completed your two week report: p 

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If you are getting paid for the report, two weeks  will be deducted will be deducted. If you are not getting paid for the report, no  weeks will be deducted and will carry over to the weeks will be deducted and will carry over to the  next report. 

How do I deal with problems? 1 Audits 1. 

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Approximately 1/10 is audited—Keep your  job search log and employment record for  seven years.  You will be asked to come to an interview or  to mail in your job search log or a to mail in your job search log or a  questionnaire. Send in a copy of your job search log, not the  original.

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How do I deal with problems? 1 Audits 1. 

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Keep all records of when you are offered and  accept contracts. Avoid signing anything if you are not sure of  Avoid signing anything if you are not sure of the accuracy. Don’t place restrictions on your availability. If interviewed, ask for a copy of the audit  If interviewed ask for a copy of the audit form. 70

How do I deal with problems? 2 Appeals 2. You have the right to appeal unfair  decisions… use it! A.

Reconsideration.

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Social Security Appeal Tribunal.

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Diane’s info If you have any questions issues or concerns If you have any questions, issues or concerns, contact: Diane Irvine, [email protected] 604‐871‐1890 (local) 1‐800‐663‐9163 (toll‐free) 1‐800‐663‐9163 (toll‐free)

Service Canada: www.servicescanada.gc.ca

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Summary 

Y h You have a right to EI—use it! i ht t EI it!

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Recordkeeping is essential. p g

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Double check everything—days worked, pay,  h hours, etc. t Follow the timelines carefully. y Complete applications carefully and  accurately. l 73

Proposed changes 

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Two week waiting period reduced to one week (Jan 1,  2017). 2017) New entrants and re‐entrants to the workforce will have  the same eligibility requirements as everyone else – no  more requirement for 910 hours (July 1, 2016). The “working while on claim” pilot has been extended  (reduces EI payment claw‐back to 50 cents for every  dollar earned instead of dollar for dollar) until 2018 dollar earned, instead of dollar‐for‐dollar), until 2018. Up to five weeks of additional benefits for regions with  hi h high unemployment – l this will affect Northern BC. hi ill ff N h BC 74

Please complete the feedback form for the BCTF.

Workshop title: EI Seminar N i ti th EI Cl i P Navigating the EI Claim Process for TTOCs f TTOC Thank you.

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http://teachbc.bctf.ca 76