October 14, 2022 Ottawa, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
Hurricane Fiona brought significant damage to Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec, and the Government of Canada understands how important Canada's social safety net is for those who have been affected by hazardous weather. Service Canada is standing by to provide services to those in need, including through the Employment Insurance (EI) program.
Those who are unable to work in the aftermath of the storm should apply for EI benefits as soon as possible, even if their employer has not yet issued a record of employment (ROE). While an ROE is required to process an EI claim, Service Canada has a process to establish EI claims without an ROE submitted by the employer. Once the employer has issued an ROE, the claims will be revised with the information received.
To process an EI application, Service Canada will need the applicant's Social Insurance Number (SIN), as well as their mailing and residential addresses. Applicants should provide:
- a mailing address where they can receive mail (this could be the address of a friend, family member or temporary shelter, and it can be updated later, if required); and
- their usual residential address, even if they are temporarily living somewhere else.
Once entitlement to EI has been confirmed, applicants must complete and file reports online or by phone every two weeks to receive EI benefits. If they receive money from an insurance company because of flooding or wildfires, or if they receive relief funds from the government, the Red Cross or another charitable organization, applicants should not declare these amounts on their EI reports. Emergency relief funds are not considered income for the purposes of EI. Applicants should declare all other amounts received.
To receive payments without any postal delays, applicants are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit.
