E.I.

[Corina]

I am a single Mother to three kids, 13, 8, and 8 months. This is a story that I want to share with you about the EI program.

I just want to say I am very frustrated and upset with EI right now. I know a lot of people are because of the changes they are making. In my case however, I went on stress leave and shortly after found out I was pregnant. I went back to work in April and worked through until August gaining a total of 639 hours. I talked with EI and they assured me it was enough hours. They started my claim back up and it changed over to maternity which they informed me would end in January of this year, which I would then terminate that claim and start a new claim that would use my 639 hours I worked and it would carry me through until August. They knew from day one that I was a single Mom with now three kids. I kept in contact with EI monthly to make sure things were okay. They starting changing small things here and there and in essence assuring me that it was for the best. They kept doing so until they stretched the claim out until April 21st of this year. I reapplied with my hours thinking nothing of it. A week after re-applying I happened to call in to see how things were. They told me that I had to go back to work as I did not have enough hours. They had told me to terminate my claim and start a new one, knowing that this would be the case. I waited my "28" days and no decision was made so I had to talk to someone in the upper office. She figured something out for me and said it would take another 2-3 weeks to process this and get a payment out to me. I called in today and now I am being told that it in fact will be up to "28" days again and that I should not have been told 2-3 weeks. Today it has been two weeks since that decision. It has also been 7 weeks since I have had any maternity pay from them. I have explained to them that it is my only source of income right now, and I was told I can give you the number for income assistance. Well guess what? My child support payments are just a few dollars over what they would give me so I am never again eligible to receive money from them, and my rent if a couple hundred more than what I get. I am told that there is no one else higher up than the call center that will speak with me, they are a Federal Government and it does not work that way with them. I get told how it is and get shafted left right and center. I was given a number that I can complain to but was also told that they cannot do anything for my file. So my bank is negative, and I'm not sure how we are going to get by. Oh and this "28" days might not give me a payment that is only the point at which they can once again re-escalate my case. I was told that it is not their job to tell me how EI works. It is my job apparently to learn all the inner workings. I work full-time and pay into this so called Federal Government and this is how as a member of society I get thanked by them. I think that there are better changes that they should be making rather than the ones that are seemingly more important to them.

One more quick note- the number he gave to me for the client satisfaction number leads to a message that says this number you have dialed is not available in your area at this time. 1-866-506-6826
How nice of him.

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Two places you can go:

your local social services (welfare) office;
your local MP

[Corina]

Can't can't get Assistance as it states in my letter, and I already emailed all the newspapers, media, and all the MP'S. I just think it is wrong what they are doing.

[OnTheRoadAgain]

Go to your MP's office, and tell them you cannot leave until they help you get to the bottom of the problem.
Emails do not hold enough weight, you must enter the office in person, and speak directly to the people.
They are there to help you.

[OnTheRoadAgain]

I'm retty sure welfare can give you food stamps to feed your kids while you wait for your EI cheque.
You might have to pay it back at tax time.

[V-Rated]

Not sure if I read this correct, but has it been a total now of 2 months without income? If so, how have you managed the first month let alone the 2nd?

[kelofornia]

I think that there are better changes that they should be making rather than the ones that are seemingly more important to them.

The changes they are making are so there will be less abuse of the system. They aren't making changes solely to frustrate you.
The changes are to better SUPPORT the MAJORITY of people across the country.

I suggest you visit other support groups, Kelowna is full of them.

[Corina]

Yes two months now. I am not sure how we have been able to get by. I am thankful my bank let my account go into the negative this month but if I am not paid by EI by the end of this month then they will not let that go again and then I have more issues. I was able to stave the bills off but they have to be paid by next Wednesday.

[Corina]

The changes they are making are so there will be less abuse of the system. They aren't making changes solely to frustrate you.
The changes are to better SUPPORT the MAJORITY of people across the country.

I suggest you visit other support groups, Kelowna is full of them.

I know that it was not to frustrate me, I should have worded it differently. I agree with most of the changes. However they know that I am home raising a baby, why make it so difficult for me to receive the money?

[Corina]

Go to your MP's office, and tell them you cannot leave until they help you get to the bottom of the problem.
Emails do not hold enough weight, you must enter the office in person, and speak directly to the people.
They are there to help you.

Thank-you for this info, I have spoken to someone in the office who is looking into it and seeing what they can do!

[kelofornia]

I know that it was not to frustrate me, I should have worded it differently. I agree with most of the changes. However they know that I am home raising a baby, why make it so difficult for me to receive the money?

Blame it on all the "useless" twits that have abused the system over and over. They are the ones that have caused the changes. Unfortunately the actions of a few have affected the lives of many. The same applies to the majority of social programs available from government agencies.

[dogspoiler]

Do I understand correctly that EI says your child support payments will disqualify you from collecting EI ? I believe that would be incorrect, those payments are for the children, you are merely the administrator of the funds.

[V-Rated]

I am sure there are so many EI stories out there - it would take up all the bandwith on Castanet!
I really can imagine the stress you are under.

[Corina]

No my child support payments disqualify me for receiving help from income assistance. EI told me to go apply with them to get my by while they work on my claim. I explained to them I cannot.

[Corina]

Removed