Employment insurance question?

[MrBlackwell]

O.K. Here's the situation. I've been retired for 2 years and collecting a pension from my former employer. Recently I was called back to do some contract work for my former employer which is expected to last until the end of 2010. The question is...am I intitled to file for unemployment after the contract is finished? I've heard through the grapevine that yes I can, but for some reason this just doesn't sound right. Too good to be true maybe? I know that by the time the contract is up I'll have more than enough hours to qualify (I beleive it's minimum 700 hours of work) I haven't collected Pogie since 1979. I'm not the type to take advantage of a situation but Geez...is this possible?
Any professionals out there care to advise?

 

[NorthernBear]

You will be entitled to file for E.I. and it will be based on the previous 20 weeks pay. That may or not be the case if you are collecting Canada Pension.
Go to the Employment Canada office for details or their website.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/menu/eihome.shtml

 

[MrBlackwell]

Thanx NorthernBear.
Nada, I'm not collecting Canada pension yet. So, there is truth to this?

 

[Another_Mod]

I may be wrong, but I think if the contract is not a fixed term, as in no defined start and end date, there are no employee deductions , ie uic, cpp etc. If the Contract is a fixed term contract, the Employer would be responsible to make the same deductions as if the contractor was an employee. The terms of your contract may affect your ability to claim UIC.

 

[OddSox]

If you've been paying EI premiums then you're entitled to collect depending on how long you've been paying into it etc. However, you say you were hired on contract, which implies that it's not a regular employment situation and that you haven't been paying the premiums - in that case...

 

[Malibook]

Unless you are hired as an employee and there are source deductions for income tax, CPP, and EI premiums, you will not be eligible for EI benefits based on this work.

One of the reasons companies hire people on contract rather than make them employees is so that they don't have to pay things like EI premiums, benefits, and severance.

There are times when contractors are really employees and they should be paying these premiums.
Employee or self-employed
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pub/tg/rc4110/rc4110-08e.pdf

 

[Another_Mod]

http://www.lbwlawyers.com/publications/contractandselfemployment.php

good read here on employee vs contract workers.

 

[slydevil]

best to call service canada and ask. they've been very helpful to me in the past ; not judgemental nor overly curious. ph: 1 800 206-721

 

[hot.scorpio1971]

You will have to claim it...the best thing is if you have them but down your kids or your wfes sin number (a person still working), or cash no paper tails....its the best thing....

 

[MrBlackwell]

I may be wrong, but I think if the contract is not a fixed term, as in no defined start and end date, there are no employee deductions , ie uic, cpp etc. If the Contract is a fixed term contract, the Employer would be responsible to make the same deductions as if the contractor was an employee. The terms of your contract may affect your ability to claim UIC.

Thankyou all for the input thusfar,
Well, I was informed at the beginning that the length of employment would probably take me into November. They are making deductions for CPP,EI, FED TAX, every week.

 

[colt]

If you have the requisite hours you will be able to claim EI benefits. The only caveat is that you will have to satisfy the Ministry that you meet the "ready, willing and able" to work criteria - i.e., you will have to demonstrate minimum efforts to be securing new employment. If they ask if you are looking for work and you respond, "No, I am enjoying my retirement" you will be s.o.l. Having said that my understanding is that it is fairly easy to go through the motions of looking for work without running any real risk of getting hired somewhere. Also, don't plan any vacations for the period you will be claiming EI benefits and if you do, make sure you report the time to Service Canada.

 

[Mencken]

I'm quite sure you will have to report all income, including any pensions...and that will mean that you probably will not qualify. Check with Service Canada.