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Amendments to the Digest of Benefit Entitlement Principles

April 2025
Background Section Previous policy
Section 19.2.0 has been updated following a change to Paragraph 58(a) of the Employment Insurance Act.
September 2024
Background Section Previous policy
Section 10.12 has been updated for ease of understanding, to facilitate the adjudication of EI claims and to ensure that current entitlement principles are based on more recent jurisprudence. Also, for consistency with other recently updated chapters, the way in which references are shown and linked has been amended.
March 2024
Background Section Previous policy
Section 18.3.4.2 has been amended to reflect that Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Quebec Pension Plan earnings are now exempt from the Voluntary Disclosure Policy. Any amendments or new information regarding these earnings is considered an error correction even after the 6-week timeframe.
November 2023
Background Section Previous policy
The Chapter 24 has been rewritten to ensure current entitlement principles. References are now accessed from links within the text, rather than being shown at the end of each section. These changes should result in a better understanding of the subject and facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.
Section 4.3.3 has been revised to ensure better alignment in both official languages.
October 2023
Background Section Previous policy
Section 11.2.2 has been amended to add podiatrists to the list of health professionals who can sign a medical certificate for a person to receive employment insurance sickness benefits.
August 2023
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been updated for ease of understanding, to facilitate the adjudication of EI claims and to ensure that current entitlement principles are based on more recent jurisprudence. Also, for consistency with other recently updated chapters, the way in which references are shown and linked has been amended.
January 2022
Background Section Previous policy
Section 8.5.3 has been revised to make a correction. The Budget 2021 measures alert has been removed as it does not apply to the issue of strike or lockout.
December 2021
Background Section Previous policy
Section 24.10.0 has been revised to clarify that clients can request a reconsideration of the effective date or termination date of their agreement for EI benefits for the self-employed.
Sections 1.4.1, 3.1.1 and 3.1.3 have been updated to reflect changes to the Administrative Policy.
October 2021
Background Section Previous policy
Section 1.3.2 has been updated to clarify when employer paid leave, such as wage loss insurance payments, can be used or not to extend the qualifying period (QP).

September 2021
Background Section Previous policy
The purpose of these changes is as a result of Budget Implementation Act, 2021, which is in effect from September 26, 2021 to September 24, 2022.  Amendments to the Employment Insurance Act, Regulations and Fishing Regulations have been identified using information boxes, located at the beginning of any section that is affected by Budget 2021 legislation changes.

August 2021
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been revised to ensure current entitlement principles, based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and scenarios have been added regarding the maternity start week when sickness benefits are claimed during the maternity window, prior to ADC. References are now accessed from links within the text, rather than being shown at the end of each section. These changes should result in a better understanding of the subject and facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.

July 2021
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been revised to ensure current entitlement principles, based on more recent jurisprudence. A new section has been added to provide more clarity regarding Early Childhood Educators. References are now accessed from links within the text, rather than being shown at the end of each paragraph. These changes should result in a better understanding of the subject and facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.

June 2021
Background Section Previous policy
The purpose of these changes is as a result of more recent jurisprudence and policy interpretation on a decision rendered by the Federal Court of Appeal (A-1-09 Canada vs Tamber), The Commission has revised its policy with respect to imposition of penalties when EI payments are received by way of direct deposit.

April 2021
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been revised to ensure current entitlement principles, based on more recent jurisprudence. References are now accessed from links within the text, rather than being shown at the end of each section. These changes should result in a better understanding of the subject and facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.
The chapter has been revised to ensure current entitlement principles, based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised. Sections have been added to clarify signing bonuses, the post retirement benefit (PRB) and critical illness payments. References are now accessed from links within the text, rather than being shown at the end of each paragraph. These changes should result in a better understanding of the subject and facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.

December 2020
Background Section Previous policy
Tables amended for conversion of lump-sum pension benefit (for allocation of earnings for benefit purposes).

June 2020
Background Section Previous policy
Section 23.2.3 has been updated to include the necessity to provide an authorization to release medical information form when submitted a medical certificate for Compassion Care benefits.

January 2020
Background Section Previous policy
Section 12.3.2 has been revised and updated in order to provide additional clarity on the issue of sickness benefits within the maternity period.

December 2019
Background Section Previous policy
Tables amended for conversion of lump-sum pension benefit (for allocation of earnings for benefit purposes).

September 2019
Background Section Previous policy
Following a decision rendered by the Federal Court of Appeals (FCA A-423-11), amendments to the Digest have been made to clarify the calculation and allocation of self-employment earnings. Additionally, language has been updated for ease of understanding.
The chapter has been revised to ensure current entitlement principles, based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised in relation suitable employment. These changes should result in a better understanding of the subject and facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.
The chapter has been revised to ensure current entitlement principles, based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised in relation to job search requirements. References are now accessed from links within the text, rather than being shown at the end of each paragraph. These changes should result in a better understanding of the subject and facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.

April 2019
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been rewritten in its entirety to ensure current entitlement principles based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised by the regions and during the appeal process. The chapter has also been restructured for ease of understanding and to facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.

March 2019
Background Section Previous policy
Sections of the Digest have been revised and updated in order to reflect the legislative changes to the number of weeks of parental benefits that may be paid. These changes came into effect March 17, 2019.

February 2019
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been rewritten in its entirety to ensure current entitlement principles based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised by the regions and during the appeal process. The chapter has also been restructured for ease of understanding and to facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.
The chapter has been rewritten in its entirety to ensure current entitlement principles based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised by the regions and during the appeal process. The chapter has also been restructured for ease of understanding and to facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.
The chapter has been rewritten in its entirety to ensure current entitlement principles based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised by the regions and during the appeal process. The chapter has also been restructured for ease of understanding and to facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.

January 2019
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been rewritten in its entirety to ensure current entitlement principles based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised by the regions and during the appeal process. The chapter has also been restructured for ease of understanding and to facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.

December 2018
Background Section Previous policy
Amendments have been made to include links to Section 6(4) of the Employment Insurance Act regarding the definition of employment which is not suitable. Amendments have also been made to wording which still referred to the categories of claimants, element that was repealed from the EI Regulation in 2016.
Tables amended for conversion of lump-sum pension benefit (for allocation of earnings for benefit purposes).

October 2018
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been rewritten in its entirety to ensure current entitlement principles based on more recent jurisprudence. Clarification and modifications have been made in certain sections to address issues raised by the regions and during the appeal process. The chapter has also been restructured for ease of understanding and to facilitate the adjudication of EI claims, in general.

May 2018
Background Section Previous policy
The section has been revised and updated. As a result of Federal Court decisions, the Commission has revised its policy with respect to the allocation of wages paid in lieu of notice, following a temporary layoff that became permanent.

March 2018
Background Section Previous policy
The purpose of these changes is as a result of a decision rendered by the Federal Court of Appeal (A-1-09 Canada vs Tamber), The Commission has revised its policy with respect to imposition of penalties when EI payments are received by way of direct deposit.

December 2016
Background Section Previous policy
Amendments have been made to the French text of sections 18.3.1.3 and 18.3.1.4 to show that misrepresentation can take many forms, such as false statements and misleading statements.
Sections of the Digest have been revised and updated in order to reflect the reduction of the waiting period from 2 weeks to one week effective January 1, 2017.

October 2016
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been revised and updated. A section has been added in order to provide additional clarity on the issue.
The Sections 2.3.2, 4.3.5 & 5.7.2.5 have been revised and updated in order to provide additional clarity on the issue of Lay Days or periods of leave.

July 2016
Background Section Previous policy
The chapter has been revised and updated. Sections have been added in order to provide additional clarity on some issues
Amendments have been made to introduce the new provisions included in Bill C-15, related to the elimination of the new entrant/re-entrant (NERE) provisions in the Employment Insurance (EI) Act, taking effect on July 3, 2016.
Tables amended for conversion of lump-sum pension benefit (for allocation of earnings for benefit purposes).
  • Amended – "Lump-sum pension benefit paid or payable" tables for the periods: June 7, 2015 to December 26, 2015 (week code 1981 to 2009) and prior to June 7, 2015 (week code 1981).
Amendments have been made to clarify the updates announced during the 2016 budget. The EI Regulations (EIR 9.001 to 9.004) were amended in regards to claimant responsibilities by defining suitable employment effective July 3, 2016.
Amendments have been made to clarify the updates announced during the 2016 budget. The EI Regulations (EIR 9.001 to 9.004) were amended in regards to claimant responsibilities by defining and suitable employment effective July 3, 2016

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