Who is eligible?

All employees who have accumulated enough hours AND who are out of work for reasons beyond their control (like contract workers whose contracts end) are eligible to claim benefits. Every employee in CUPE 3902 is in this latter situation. All contracts formally end on a designated date (although you are required to complete work for the UofT past this date if it is part of your obligations) and members become unemployed.

In order to qualify for regular benefits you need either 665 hours or 910 hours in the 52 weeks prior to making application. Most Sessional Lecturers or Course Instructors who have taught at least 1.5 courses (or 3 half courses) in the past 52 weeks are eligible. Some Teaching Assistants, Sessional Instructional Assistants, Writing Instructors, and other hourly-paid employees who have a lot of insurable hours, or who have taught a course or two, may also qualify.

How many hours do you need - 665 or 910?

The number depends on several factors. If you live in the Greater Toronto area, the current minimum is 665 hours (it varies by the unemployment rate) in the 52 weeks prior to becoming unemployed (this period is called the qualifying period). However, you might need as many as 910 hours if you are considered a "new entrant" or "re-entrant" to the labour market.

In order to not be considered either a new or re-entrant, you need to have worked at least 490 hours in the year prior to the qualifying period. You will need records of employment for both years if you have between 665 and 910 hours of insurable employment.

You can add up all your insurable earnings through employment for different employers in counting your total hours.

How do hours work at UofT?

At UofT, the Union and the Employer have agreed as to how many hours of work each course is "worth". All three Collective Agreements with the University of Toronto and with Victoria University credit Sessional Lecturers and Course Instructors with 460 hours for each full year course, or 230 hours for a half course (other universities have different rules). As well, you can add any other tutor or TA positions you had in counting your hours. If you have worked more than this, it is possible to have this reflected on your Record of Employment. However, you would need to have kept track of your hours and have your Department Chair sign off on it prior to getting your Record of Employment.

Note: scholarships or other T4A income does not qualify as insurable earnings for EI purposes. Only earnings which resulted in a deduction of EI premiums are insurable earnings, with the exception of the previous receipt of EI benefits, which count as insurable work towards the future receipt of EI.

How much are benefits?

Benefits are paid at 55% of your average weekly earnings (based on your earnings over the last 6 months) to a weekly maximum benefit of $423.00 There are no benefits paid for the first two weeks of unemployment (it is considered like a deductible).

How long do benefits last?

This also depends on the local unemployment rate and your total hours worked in the qualifying period. In Toronto for a sessional who worked three full courses would receive benefits for 25 weeks. If the same person had only worked two full courses, he/she would only be entitled to benefits for 19 weeks.

When did I start and stop work?

That depends on the contract. At UofT, there is a deemed weeks provision that stipulates when the contract begins and ends. It always begins the Monday of the first week of classes and ends the last Friday in April.

When do I have to apply?

As soon as possible. If you do not apply within 4 weeks of becoming unemployed you may lose your entitlement to benefits. After 4 weeks, we need to make an application to "antedate" your claim and have to show "good cause" for the entire period between losing your job and the application for benefits.

At the end of your contract, you should go to the Human Resources office at UofT (215 Huron Street, 8th Floor) and request a Record of Employment (ROE). The UofT must provide this to you within 5 working days of your request.

How do I apply?

The Union can help you through the application procedure (either in person or on the phone). All help received from the Union is at no cost to the member. Once you have your ROE, contact the Union office to make an appointment to help you apply.

If you apply on your own and run into problems, you should call the Union office immediately. Problems solved early are more easily solved, and all advice and assistance the Union provides is free of charge and paid for by your union dues. We can provide legal representation including assistance in making appeals to decisions on your benefits.

The easiest way to apply for EI is online.

Alternatively, you can go in to your local HRDC office. You are required to apply for EI at the EI office physically closest to your place of residence. There are five HRDC offices in Toronto: Yonge and St. Clair (25 St. Clair E); the Danforth (811 Danforth); Dufferin Mall (900 Dufferin Street); Lawrence Square (Lawrence and the Allen); Downsview (3737 Chesswood). If you are in any doubt as to which office is appropriate, contact the Union.

When applying for regular benefits do not bring any children with you to the EI office. There have been cases where people have been declared ineligible because the presence of children indicated that they were “unavailable” for work. There are licensed child-care centres that take in children on a short-term basis for limited hours during the day at reasonable rates. If you need help finding such a centre, contact the Union.

Receiving benefits

Your first two weeks of unemployment is without pay (like a deductible on an insurance policy). After that you will get paid every two weeks by the EI Commission until either your benefits run out or you find other employment.

For our student members, it is utterly irrelevant that you are pursuing a graduate degree. Your scholarship/ fellowship income is also irrelevant, as is the fact that you are only a part-time worker. You are required to be available for work and actively seeking work. You are allowed to restrict your search, at least initially, to work similar to that which you left. In other words you may seek other part-time academic work. You are not required to respond to the “kitchen help wanted” signs. However, you will need to keep a record of your attempts to find work.

International students who qualify for either special or regular benefits are entitled to receive EI payments.

While on benefits, what do I do?

You look for work. You are required to be available for employment and are required to be actively seeking employment. These are separate criteria.

"Available" means that if someone offered you a job tomorrow you would take it. That is the reason you cannot claim benefits while outside the country.

"Actively seeking employment" means that you are doing everything reasonable to find work in the general area in which you have found work before. Since part-time academics have established a pattern of work as part-time academics, you are allowed to restrict your search to part-time academic work, at least for the first few months on benefits. After the first few months you should begin to broaden your search to related kinds of work that utilize your skills.

Are there any other EI benefits available? What about maternity benefits?

Yes, if you become unemployed on account of pregnancy or childbirth or on account of sickness, you are eligible for "special benefits." For special benefits, you only need 600 hours in the qualifying period and you do not have to be available or actively seeking employment. Maternity and sickness benefits last 15 weeks each and parental benefits (which can be taken by either partner) last 35 weeks.

If you wish to apply for EI special benefits (maternity and/or parental), contact the Union for assistance and advice: 416.593.7057.