Federal government temporarily waiving wait time for EI claims

Ottawa is waiving the one-week waiting period for new Employment Insurance claims.

It will apply to all claims between January 31st and September 25th, 2021.

The temporary change includes regular, fishing industry, and special benefit claims. The federal government said by waiving the wait time, it will allow people who are applying for benefits to be paid right away for their first week. 

Anyone who opens a new EI claim after January 31st but goes back to work before their entitlement ends will still get the benefit of an extra week of income. 

The government said there will be no change to the amount of weeks someone can collect EI.