EI fishing benefits

Am I eligible?

A fisher is a self-employed person engaged in fishing. If you are a fisher, you may be eligible to receive EI fishing benefits if you are unemployed in fishing.

Your eligibility also depends on how much you earned from self-employment in fishing during your qualifying period.

What is the qualifying period?

The qualifying period is the 31-week period immediately before the start of a benefit period. If you applied for benefits earlier and your application was approved in the last 31 weeks, the qualifying period is from the start of the previous benefit period to the start of your new benefit period.

How much do I have to earn to qualify?

The amount you need to earn during your qualifying period varies depending on the unemployment rate in the region where you live. As Table 1 shows, you need to earn a minimum of between $2,500 and $4,200 during your qualifying period to qualify for fishing benefits.

When to apply

You should apply for EI fishing benefits as soon as possible. You should apply no later than four weeks after:

• your last day of work;
• the end date of your fishing trip; or
• the date you sold your catch to a buyer.

You may lose benefits if you are late applying for benefits.

You have to apply online

To receive fishing benefits, you must submit an EI application form online. You have several options. You can apply:

What information do I need to complete my application?

To apply for EI fishing benefits online, you will need the following information:

• your Social Insurance Number;
• your mother's maiden name;
• your mailing and residential addresses, including the postal codes;
• the names and addresses of all buyers of your catch and employers, dates for the periods you were engaged in self-employed fishing and other periods of employment, and reasons for separation from any employment, including self-employment in fishing, for the last 52 weeks; and
• your complete banking information, including the financial institution name, the branch number, and your account number, if you want to apply for direct deposit.

After you apply online, you will need to either mail us the following documents at the address that will be provided on the Information and Confirmation page once you submit your online application or drop them off in person at a Service Canada Centre as soon as possible so we can finalize your claim:

• if your SIN begins with a '9,' proof of your immigration status and work permit; and
• all Records of Employment (ROEs) in paper format you have received from buyers of your catch or from employers for whom you have worked in insurable employment during the last 52 weeks or since your last claim (if buyers or employers submit ROEs electronically to Service Canada, you do not have to provide copies to Service Canada).

Completing the application form

To complete your online application, visit the Service Canada website. From the 'Online Services and Forms' menu on the right-hand side of the page, select 'Apply for Employment Insurance.' From there, the website takes you step by step through the application form, and provides detailed instructions on how to complete it.

When will I receive benefits?

If you are entitled to receive EI fishing benefits, you will usually receive your first payment within 28 days of the date we receive your application. If you do not qualify to receive EI fishing benefits, we will notify you by letter or by telephone and explain why.

What is the one-week waiting period?

Before you can start receiving EI fishing benefits, you have to serve a one-week period for which you will not receive benefits. This is called the waiting period. The waiting period is like the deductible you have to pay for other types of insurance.

Any money you earn during the one-week waiting period will be deducted from your benefit payment during the first three weeks for which benefits are paid. Once these three weeks have passed, the waiting period has no further effect on your benefits.

How will I get paid?

To receive your payment, you must complete an EI report (online or by telephone) every two weeks. You cannot receive your payment unless you complete these reports.

Once we receive your application for benefits, we will send you a benefit statement in the mail. The benefit statement is mailed to you shortly after you apply for benefits. The statement includes your Access Code (4 digit number), which is printed in the shaded area at the top of the benefit statement. Your Access Code is needed to submit your required bi-weekly reports and to get information about your claim. Access the instructions on when and how to complete your reports with our Internet Reporting Service or our Telephone Reporting Service.

Here's how to submit your EI report:

What is my access code?

Your access code is the four-digit number printed in the shaded area of the benefit statement. Your access code is your electronic signature, and you will need it, along with your Social Insurance Number, when you make telephone enquiries about your claim and when you file your reports using the EI Internet Reporting Service or the EI Telephone Reporting Service.

The access code identifies you and ensures that your privacy is protected. Do not let others have it because they could get information or take action on your claim without your knowledge. You would be held responsible. Keep your access code in a safe place and, for extra security, keep it stored separately from your Social Insurance Number.

If you have been given a temporary access code, you will need to change it to a new confidential access code. You may also choose to change your existing access code for security reasons. To do this, call our EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742). Choose "1" and follow the instructions to change your access code.

If you lose your access code, call our EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and press "0" to speak to an agent. You can also go to your local Service Canada Centre.

Whether you are changing your access code or reporting a lost one, you will be asked questions to verify your identity. We will then issue you a new access code number.

How will I receive my first payment?

We usually pay benefits by direct deposit into your bank account. If we have all the required information and you are entitled to receive benefits, we will deposit your first payment within 28 days of the date we receive your application.

We will deposit subsequent payments into your bank account two business days after you complete your EI report by Internet or telephone.

If you are unable to use direct deposit, you will receive your payment by cheque, which we will mail to you.

What if I still need to give my banking or other information?

If you have applied for EI benefits but did not supply your complete banking information, you have two options:

• You can use the My Service Canada Account service on the website. From the 'Online Services and Forms' menu on the right-hand side of the page, select 'Access My Service Canada Account.' (For information about registering for My Service Canada Account, see the question Where can I get more information on my claim?)
• You can call our EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, to give the information to an agent.

How much will I receive?

To calculate your weekly EI fishing benefit, we consider your total earnings during your qualifying period. The earliest start date of the qualifying period is the week of March 1 for summer fishing or September 1 for winter fishing.
This is how we calculate your weekly benefit:

1. We calculate your total self-employment earnings from fishing during your qualifying period—the last 31 weeks or from the start date of your last claim for EI benefits (we use the total earnings from the shorter period).
2. We determine the unemployment rate in your region and select the divisor that applies at that unemployment rate (see Table 2).
3. We divide your total self-employment earnings from fishing during your qualifying period by the applicable divisor. This gives us your weekly insurable earnings from self-employment in fishing.
4. If you have insurable earnings from employment other than as a self-employed fisher, we calculate your total earnings from the last 26 weeks of that other employment, using only the 31 weeks contained in the fishing qualifying period. We divide this amount by the applicable divisor or by the number of weeks worked, whichever is greater. This gives us your weekly insurable earnings from regular employment.
5. We add the results from Steps 3 and 4 together to find your total weekly insurable earnings.
6. We compare your total weekly insurable earnings with the allowed maximum weekly amount, and we select the lower figure. The maximum weekly amount can vary from year to year and is based on the maximum insurable earnings for the calendar year. To find out more about the maximum weekly amount or the maximum insurable earnings for this year, visit the Service Canada website or call our EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742).
7. We multiply that lower figure by 55% to obtain the amount of your weekly benefit (see Examples 1 and 2).

Example 1
In 2019, John earns $9,865 from self-employment in fishing during his qualifying period of 31 weeks. The unemployment rate in his area is 11.5%, which means the divisor is 16. Dividing his fishing earnings of $9,865 by 16 gives him weekly insurable earnings of $616.56. This amount is lower than the maximum weekly amount, which is $1,021 in 2019. His weekly benefit rate is therefore $339 [($9,865 ÷ 16) x 55%].

Example 2
In 2019, John earns $9,865 from self-employment in fishing during his qualifying period of 31 weeks. The unemployment rate in his area is 11.5%, which means the divisor is 16. Dividing his fishing earnings of $9,865 by 16 gives him weekly insurable earnings of $616.56.

However, within the last 26 weeks (which occurred in the 31-week qualifying period), John also works in another job during which he earns $10,000 in 15 weeks. Because these earnings are not from self-employment in fishing, they are called regular earnings. The unemployment rate in his area is 11.5%, which means the divisor is 16. Dividing his regular earnings of $10,000 by 16 gives him weekly insurable earnings of $625.00. We use the divisor of 16 for the regular earnings because it is greater than 15, which is the number of regular weeks of insurable earnings in the last 26 weeks.

We calculate John's total weekly insurable earnings as follows:

Fishing weekly earnings: $616.56
Regular weekly earnings: $625.00
Total weekly earnings: $1,241.56

When the regular earnings are added to the fishing earnings, the total is greater than the maximum weekly amount of $1,021per week. Since John's insurable earnings cannot exceed the maximum weekly amount for 2018, we use that amount to calculate his benefit rate. John's weekly benefit rate is therefore $562 [($53,100 ÷ 52 weeks) x 55%].

Could I receive a higher benefit rate?

You could receive a higher benefit rate if you are in a low-income family with children. In this case, your net income would have to be less than $25,921. If you or your spouse receives the Canada Child Tax Benefit, you may be entitled to the Family Supplement, which means a higher benefit rate. However, the weekly benefit payment cannot be higher than the maximum benefit rate for the calendar year.

To find out more about the Family Supplement, visit the Service Canada website at Service Canada website or call the EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742). You can also write to us or visit us in person at a Service Canada Centre.

For how long will I receive benefits?

If you qualify for fishing benefits, you may receive up to 26 weeks of benefits within a period of 37 or 38 weeks, depending on the day of the week on which April 1 or October 1 falls. This period is called the benefit period.

How long is the benefit period?

The benefit period for a winter claim can start as early as the week of April 1 and must end no later than the week of December 15.

The benefit period for a summer claim can start as early as the week of October 1 and must end no later than the week of June 15.

The benefit period can be extended to a maximum of 52 weeks if you are claiming EI special benefits such as sickness benefits. The benefit period is extended by one week for each week of special benefits claimed.

Where can I get more information on my claim?

To get more information about your EI application, you can contact us either online or by telephone.

Can I work while receiving EI fishing benefits?

You cannot work full time and receive EI fishing benefits. However, you can work part time while receiving fishing benefits.

Normally, you can earn up to $50 per week or 25% of your weekly benefit, whichever is higher. Any money earned above that amount will be deducted dollar for dollar from your benefits.

Since August 12, 2018, a Working While on Claim (WWC) pilot project is in place to encourage workers to accept all available work while on claim.

Under this pilot project, once you have served the waiting period, if your earnings are equal to or less than 90% of your weekly earnings that were used to calculate your benefit rate, your benefits will be reduced at a rate of 50% of your earnings each week. Any earnings that exceed this 90% threshold will be deducted dollar for dollar from your benefits.

You must report all gross earnings—that is, earnings before taxes and deductions—during the week you earn them, as well as any other money you receive while collecting fishing benefits.

To find out more about the EI pilot project to increase allowable earnings or to report your earnings, visit the Service Canada website or call our EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742).

Could I qualify for other types of EI benefits?

Yes, in addition to EI fishing benefits, you may qualify for other types of EI benefits.

• Sickness benefits
  If you are sick, you may qualify for up to 26 weeks of sickness benefits. To do so, you must earn $3,760 or more from self-employment in fishing during the qualifying period. You do not have to be ill to qualify for sickness benefits: you may also be injured or in quarantine. You must obtain a medical certificate signed by a physician stating how long your incapacity due to illness, injury, or quarantine is expected to last.

Can I receive fishing and other types of EI benefits in the same benefit period?

Under certain conditions, you may receive fishing benefits and maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care and/or family caregiver benefits during the same claim period. In this case, the benefit period would be extended to a maximum of 52 weeks, and you could receive up to 50 weeks of benefits.

The only exception is when EI fishing benefits and extended parental benefits are paid. As extended parental benefits are paid at a benefit rate of 33% of your weekly insurable earnings, up to a maximum amount, once 50 weeks of benefits have been paid, the weeks of extended parental benefits will be converted to an equivalent number of weeks that would have been paid at the 55% benefit rate. This conversion will determine how many more weeks of fishing benefits and special benefits can be paid to reach the equivalent of 50 weeks paid at the 55% benefits rate. Any weeks where you return to work during this period will be considered weeks paid for the purposes of calculating the equivalent of 50 weeks paid at the 55% benefit rate. Once the number of additional weeks that can be paid is determined, the benefit period will be extended to allow for the additional weeks to be paid.

Example: Alain establishes a summer fishing claim and receives 26 weeks of fishing benefits. He then requests extended parental benefits and receives 24 weeks of benefits. As he has now been paid 50 weeks of benefits, a conversion calculation is required to determine how many more weeks he can receive before reaching the equivalent of 50 weeks paid at the 55% benefit rate. The 24 weeks of extended parental benefits paid at the 33% benefit rate are converted to 14 weeks of benefits at the 55% benefit rate. In total, 26 weeks of fishing benefits and 14 weeks of converted parental benefits have been paid at the 55% benefit rate, for a total of 40 weeks. There are 10 more weeks at 55% that may be paid on the claim, before reaching the equivalent of 50 weeks paid at the 55% benefit rate. As the claimant is in receipt of extended parental at the point that the conversion calculation is made, the 10 weeks at 55% are converted to 17 weeks at the 33% rate. The benefit period will be extended by a further 17 weeks to allow the claimant to receive the equivalent of 50 weeks paid at 55%.

It is important to note that if you have not been paid any fishing or regular benefits during your benefit period, you may be able to receive up to 102 weeks of maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care and/or family caregiver benefits in the same benefit period.

To find out whether you are eligible to receive other types of EI benefits in the same benefit period, please call our EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and press 0 to speak to an agent. You can also write to us or go in person to your Service Canada Centre.

I am going to be outside Canada. Does this affect my benefits?

Normally, you cannot collect fishing benefits while outside Canada. However, in certain situations, you can receive fishing benefits during a temporary absence. In this case, you must be available for work in Canada and you must inform Service Canada of your temporary absence.

You can collect maternity and parental benefits while outside Canada. Under some circumstances, you may also be able to collect sickness, compassionate care or family caregiver benefits. However, you must advise Service Canada if you go outside Canada by calling our EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742), writing to us, or visiting us in person at a Service Canada Centre.

Will I have to repay benefits at income tax time?

When you file your income tax return, you may be required to repay some of the EI benefits you received. This will depend on your net income and whether you were paid EI regular non-fishing or regular fishing benefits during the tax year.

For more information on repaying benefits at income tax time, visit our website or call our EI Telephone Information Service at 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742). You can also write to us or visit us in person at a Service Canada Centre.

Rights and responsibilities

What is a mistake?

A mistake is an unintentional act. We know claimants can make mistakes when filing their reports. Common mistakes include:

• estimating weekly earnings instead of putting in the actual amount earned;
• forgetting to declare all the earnings received;
• writing or entering the wrong number when reporting earnings; or
• adding the number of hours or amount of earnings incorrectly.

Some mistakes can delay benefit payments, while others can affect the amount of benefits you receive - meaning you were paid more or less than you were entitled to receive.

For example, estimating your earnings can have the following effects:

• If you estimated your earnings in any one week and your estimate was higher than the earnings you actually received, your benefit amount will be less than it should have been. Let us know if this happens. We will adjust your file and ensure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled.
• If you estimated your earnings in any one week and your estimate was lower than the earnings you actually received, your benefit amount will be higher than it should have been. Let us know if this happens. You will have to repay the excess amount, but we will ensure that this causes no undue hardship. As well, we will adjust your file to reflect your accurate information.

If you notice a mistake on a completed form or report, or if there is a change in your circumstances that could affect your EI claim, tell Service Canada immediately. This will help prevent any future problems with your claim.

Absence from Canada

Usually, you cannot receive EI fishing benefits while outside Canada. (For exceptions, see I am going to be outside Canada. Does this affect my benefits? .) One measure we take to enforce this rule is to compare EI information with information from the Canada Border Services Agency. If we find you have been out of the country while collecting fishing benefits, we will try to determine whether you are entitled to those benefits. If not, we will calculate your overpayment, which you will then have to repay.

We may also impose penalties of up to three times your weekly benefit rate or three times the amount of your overpayment. As well, you may have to earn more to qualify for fishing benefits in the future.

Misrepresentation

If you knowingly withhold information, make misleading statements, or misrepresent the facts to make a false claim for benefits, this is considered misrepresentation. You could face severe monetary penalties or prosecution. This could also affect your future benefits. However, if you disclose your actions to Service Canada before an investigation begins, we can waive any monetary penalties and prosecutions that might otherwise apply.

Consequences of misrepresentation: Interest and penalties