How does working while collecting EI affect the duration of a claim?
If you start working before you finish your current EI claim, you must tell us so we can adjust or stop your claim, depending on whether the work is full-time, part-time or by contract. If the work is short-term or contract you may re-activate your EI claim and continue to receive your bi-weekly payments when you are laid off. The maximum period of time in which you can carry out one claim is 52 weeks. An EI claim will end if: • all EI to which you are eligible have been paid; or • the 52 week duration is reached; or • you request and qualify for the termination of your claim. To start a new claim you must work the minimum number of insurable hours required for regular benefits. The number of minimum hours depends on where you live and the unemployment rate in your economic region at the time of filing your claim.
