1.8.5 Earnings in waiting period
Earnings allocated to the waiting period are deducted dollar for dollar from future weeks of benefits (EI Act 19(1); EI Regulation 39(1)), to a maximum allocation equal to the weekly rate of benefits (EI Regulation 39(2)). Therefore, the maximum deduction for the waiting period will never be more than an amount equal to the claimant’s weekly benefit rate. This deduction is made based on the rules discussed under the heading "Effect of Waiting Period".
Earnings and days of disentitlement may occur at the same time. Here again, the maximum deduction from earnings and disentitlement days in the waiting period must not exceed the amount of the weekly benefit rate.
An exception applies for a claimant who becomes employed under a work-sharing agreement and has already served the waiting period during which they had earnings. In this situation, the effect of the earnings in the waiting period is not immediate. The deduction of those earnings will only occur after the end of the work-sharing agreement, should the claimant request another type of benefits (EI Regulation 46).
If you are entitled to receive EI regular benefits, you should receive your first payment within 28 days of the date we receive your application and all required documents.
You must complete bi-weekly reports to prove your eligibility and to receive benefits to which you may be entitled. Failure to do so can mean a loss of benefits.
Before you start receiving EI benefits, there may be one week for which you will not be paid. This is what we call the "waiting period." The waiting period is like the deductible that you must pay for other types of insurance.
If you are not entitled to receive EI benefits, we will contact you by letter or by telephone to explain why. If you disagree with our decision, you have the right to request a reconsideration.