Weekly Indemnity Benefits and COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 has been felt by everyone and the landscape seems to be changing daily. To help Canadians cope with the financial impact of COVID-19 the eligibility rules for Employment Insurance have been relaxed to allow most members to qualify for benefits. The following information should assist you with determining when to apply for E.I. and when to apply for Weekly Indemnity benefits.

If you have a positive COVID-19 test result or a doctor’s certification
If you have received a positive COVID-19 test result or have a doctor’s certification that you should not be at work due to an accident or illness, you should contact our office to determine whether you should apply for Weekly Indemnity Benefits. If so, scroll down for the instruction to submit a Weekly Indemnity claim.

If you do not have a positive test result or a doctor’s certification
If you do not have a positive COVID-19 test result and do not have a doctor’s certification, but are unable to work for any of the following reasons:

• you are self-quarantining because a family member is required to quarantine
• you have returned from out-of-country and are quarantined
• you have had known exposure to someone with COVID-19

you should apply for EI sickness benefits. Benefits can be received for up to 15 weeks at a minimum of $400 up to a maximum of $573 per week. For full details on eligibility and the application process, visit the EI sickness benefits website.

Starting on September 27, 2020, if you do not qualify for EI sickness benefits and must self isolate for reasons related to COVID-19, you may be eligible for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB). Benefits of $500 per week can be received for up to two weeks. For full details, visit Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan website.

If your employer issued you a lay-off notice as a result of a workplace shutdown due to COVID-19, you can apply for regular EI benefits. Benefits can be received from 26 up to 45 weeks at a minimum of $400 up to a maximum of $573 per week, depending on your region and hours worked. For full details on eligibility and the application process, visit the EI regular benefits website.

If you have a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19
If you do not have a positive COVID-19 test result or a doctor’s certification, but have a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 or have symptoms and are self-quarantining, you should send an email to WIclaims@DATownley.com for further instruction.