[splitimage]

The details still need to be sorted out, but I've been researching on the Human Resources Canada website, and I found out that I can reactivate my old employment insurance claim, from before I found the job and it seems like a relatively straightforward process. I can't actually apply until March 4 when my record of employment will be sent electronically to Human Resources Canada. And I found my original letter approving my claim from last summer, and it turns out that I was eligible to collect for 58 weeks, which means I should now, if my calculations are correct be able to collect for about 6.5 months if I need to. And the good news is, if you're reactivating a claim, they don't apply the normal 2 week waiting period before they start paying you.

I won't completely relax about it, until I've filed the claim and get confirmation of eligibility and duration back, but at least it looks good. And I have enough money, plus I'll get one more paycheck on March 4, which should cover me until the EI claim gets approved.

--splitimage

[splitimage]

Well, I applied for EI today. I hope it get's approved. The only downside is that, it says on the website it can take up to 28 days for a claim to be approved.

Fingers crossed.

[ECHOES]

I hope it gets approved faster that the 'up to' days. Keep us posted! I will be thinking of you and hoping for a positive outcome!

[googley]

I hope this all works out for you.

[splitimage]

The gov't is really frustrating. I got two letters from human services Canada today advising that my claim had been reactivated and another letter with my log in code for on-line reporting, advising me that I had to complete a report for Feb. 20 - Mar 15. I went in and logged in, and answered the questions, reporting the hours I worked and what I had earned in the week of Feb. 20, before I was let go. Then i get to the end of the questionnaire, and it says I have to call the EI office and explain why I lost my job. Well duh, I did all that on the initial application. So I spoke to a woman whom seemed confused as to why there was no indication on my electronic record as to why I'd been let go. Turns out my claim is still being "processed" and hasn't officially been approved yet. She said they had up to the 18'th to finish the review and to call back on Mon. to see if my claim had been approved. So if there's still a question, why'd they send me a letter telling me that my old claim had been reactivated. So now I'm back to stressing about whether or not I'll be approved.

But on a positive note, if I am approved - it'll be for a lot longer than I originally thought, I never was actually paid anything from EI when I was last unemployed, as I'd gotten 6 months severence + vacation pay etc. That meant that had I remained unemployed and not found a job in Dec. the earliest I would have been eligible to collect EI would have been the beginning of Feb. 2011. I then had 58 weeks to collect. Since I never collected anything from EI - I still have the full 58 weeks, not that I expect to need it. But it at least means I'm good for 6 months with my savings before I need to touch my retirement savings, which is lots of time to finish rehab, and look for another job.

Now I just hope that the stupid gov't approves me.

[splitimage]

Well, it took me 3 attempts to get through and then 1/2 hour on hold to get through to an agent, but I'm now officially approved to collect EI. They told me to go on-line right away when I got off the phone with them, and complete the report for the last 2 weeks, which I've done. And the customer service person I spoke to, said the money would be deposited into my account on Wed.

[googley]

awesome!