How To Use A My Service Canada Account And Report EI Online?

GCKey lets you securely access the Government of Canada’s online services – Service Canada website. It includes a username and password that you choose while creating a new MSCA account.

Please note that there are certain rules and restrictions for creating a new username and password. The restriction includes the minimum password length and if the username is already chosen by others, you might want to choose another one, etc.

You should also create security questions and answers. This keeps your data secure and lets you recover your account in case you forget the password or want to recover one. 

GCKey Registration Process 

Now that you know what a GCKey is, let’s quickly look at the GCKey registration process:

• Create a User ID

• Create recovery questions, answers, and hints

• You’ll then be able to create and confirm a password

How Do I Access The My Service Canada Account? (MSCA)

Before you can register for the My Service Canada Account, you’ll need an access code. To get the access code from Service Canada, you will have to request one.

If you are applying for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits you will require a Personal Access Code or PAC. We will look at how to get the EI Access Code and PAC in just a bit

The four-digit numeric personal access code or PAC is printed in the shaded area on the benefit statement mailed to you after you apply for the Employment Insurance benefit payments.

Usually, it takes a couple of days to receive the personal access code by snail mail. Also, depending on where you live it might take even longer to receive.

First, on the My Service Canada Account (MSCA) website, you can either choose to login with a GCKey or a Sign-In Partner.

You’ll be able to log in using a GCKey by using a User ID and password.

The other option is using your Canadian banking credentials by using a Sign-In Partner which I almost end up using all the time to log in.

Example – Your TD, CIBC, or RBC Online Banking details (usually debit card number and password). There’s a huge list of sign-in partners. 

As soon you log in to the My Service Canada Account for the first time (using a sign-in partner), you need to have the access code handy, only for the first login, later on, you don’t need it to log in.

From the second login onwards (once set up), it’s fairly straightforward and easy to log into the MSCA.  

Also, signing in through the partner credentials is pretty secure, no personal information is shared between the two institutions, it is just to make sure you are the person trying to use and access the government services.

For first-time MSCA users, please follow the registration process as outlined in canada.ca to complete the sign-up process before you can log in and access all the features and benefits.

To sum it up, once you have the personal access code, you can register for My Service Canada Access (MSCA).

If it is your first time accessing the My Service Canada Account, you will need:

• your PAC or EI access code

• your SIN

• and date of birth

How Do I Login To The My Service Canada Account? (MSCA)

• Agree to the terms and conditions

• Choose a Sign-In Partner and you’ll access the My Service Canada Account every time.

How To Use The My Service Canada Account? (MSCA)

1. First log in to the My Service Canada Account (MSCA) by clicking the link here. 

2. You have two options to login:

1. First, by using the GCKey

2. Second, by logging in using your existing bank credentials. Remember you need to pre-authorize and enable My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to use this method.

3. Once you have successfully logged in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA), you’ll see the following account options enabled on the welcome screen:

1. View my EI status and correspondence

2. View my Tax Slips for EI / CPP / OAS (T4E, T4A, NR4)

3. View my EI payment information

4. View my Records of Employment

5. Complete my EI report online

4. Depending on what your needs are, click on the appropriate link and navigate to the specific page/links.

5. By logging in to your My Service Canada Account, you can scroll down in the welcome home screen and click on the apply button to apply for CPP, GIS, OAS, EI, and International Benefits.

Employment Insurance (EI) is an unemployment insurance program in Canada that allows individuals who recently lost their job due to no fault of theirs. I mean laid off in simple terms.

Unemployment raises money issues for lots of people and this is something that the Canadian Government is aware of. This is why they offer Employment Insurance or EI benefits (a form of temporary financial assistance) to individuals that are eligible. Over half a million people benefit from this monthly.

Employment Insurance can serve as a source of income for those that have lost their job. It is subjected to tax deductions. Employment Insurance can be availed for a minimum of 14 weeks to a maximum of 45 weeks.

However, to receive EI payments online you should have paid regular EI premiums for the past 12 months at least.

But don’t worry your employer usually takes care of the bi-weekly or monthly EI premiums as a part of your paycheck. 

If you are a contractor or a small business owner, you may individually contribute to the EI as part of your incorporation. 

Service Canada EI Benefits are usually in the form of temporary financial assistance which lasts for 12 months from the date of the benefits start date and once your EI application is approved.

Once you find a new job, your EI payments will immediately stop and you will no longer receive any more payments. Also, if you work part-time while searching for a job, your EI payment amount will get reduced. It all depends on the income you make bi-weekly while on EI payments.

EI payments usually last for a year and all applications are manually approved once applied for.

Eligibility For Employment Insurance Benefits 

• Lost your job through no fault of your own (e.g. terminated without cause, or if you quit for certain acceptable reasons such as provable harassment, or a toxic work environment)

• Were employed in insurable employment and have worked the required number of hours are looking for work each day and continue to document these efforts

• your regular weekly earnings from work have decreased by more than 40% for at least one week

• you have accumulated 600 insured hours of work in the 52 weeks before the start of your claim or since the start of your last claim

• you’re unable to work for medical reasons

You may, however, be considered to be Ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits if you:

• were terminated for misconduct

• are unemployed because of directly participating in a labor dispute

• voluntarily left your job without just cause

• are confined to a jail or similar institution

Who Can Apply For The Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits?

If you’re a Canadian either living in the country or abroad, you might be eligible to receive the EI Payments, all you have to do is to apply for one.

But, before that please make sure you fall into one of the below categories before you apply:  

1. Regular EI Benefits

You can apply for the regular EI benefits if you have lost your job through no fault of your own (laid off). You’ll receive regular bi-weekly EI Payments while you actively search for public and private sector job opportunities.

2. EI Sickness Benefits

You can apply for the EI “Sickness EI Benefit” if you are unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine (COVID-19). Click here to apply. 

COVID-19 EI Sickness Benefits Update

You can apply for Employment Insurance sickness benefits and receive up to 15 weeks of financial assistance if you cannot work for medical reasons and quarantine. As part of this benefit, You’ll receive 55% of your regular earnings up to a maximum of $573 per week.

All you have to do is – get a medical certificate to show that you’re unable to work for medical reasons. Note that – Medical reasons include illness, injury, quarantine or any medical condition that prevents you from working. Click here to learn more and to apply now for the EI Sickness Benefit (COVID-19). 

3. EI Maternity and Parental Benefits

You can apply for the EI “Maternity and Parental Benefits” if you’re pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child or are caring for a newborn.

4. EI Caregiving Benefits and Leave

You can apply for this EI Benefit if you are providing care or support to a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care.

Click here to apply for the EI Caregiving Benefits and Leave

5. EI Special Benefits for the Self-Employed

You need to register and apply for special benefits if you are self-employed.

Click here to apply for this benefit. 

6. EI Benefits For Canadians Living Abroad

If you currently live or work outside of Canada, you can still be eligible to receive the EI Benefits.

Click here to learn more and apply for this benefit. 

7. EI Fishing Benefits

Are you a Canadian Fisher looking for EI Benefits? You can apply for EI Benefits if you are a self-employed fisher and actively seeking work.

Click here for more details and to apply for the EI Fishing benefit payments. 

8. EI Benefits Information for Employers

If you are a Canadian Employer looking out for Information about records of employment (ROE), managing insurance premiums, obtaining EI premium reduction reports or supplementing benefits click here to learn more. 

How To Apply For Employment Insurance In The My Service Canada Account?

1. Gather supporting documents:

• Medical certificate: You’ll need to get a medical certificate signed by a medical practitioner

• Record Of Employment or ROE

2. Complete the online application:

• Ensure that the names and addresses of your employers in the last 52 weeks, the dates you were employed with each employer and the reasons you’re no longer employed with them.

• You need to provide a detailed explanation of the facts if you quit or were dismissed from any job in the last 52 weeks

• make sure to include your full mailing address and your home address if they are different, your social insurance number (SIN)

• you’d also need your mother’s maiden name and your banking information, including financial institution, branch (transit) number and

• finally, your bank account number, to sign up for direct deposit are available before completing the application

3. Provide supporting documents

4. A benefit statement and access code will arrive by mail

5. Review your application status

If you travel outside of Canada, make sure to fill out an Absence from Canada form on My Service Canada Account.

An individual is not eligible to receive sickness benefits while outside Canada. However, the person is eligible if medical treatment is not available where you reside.

Employment Insurance Benefits And Record Of Employment (ROE)

To apply for Employment Insurance, you’ll need the ROE (Record Of Employment) from your employer and upload it online before your EI application is approved and EI benefits start. 

Usually, your employer takes care of submitting the ROE part, the important thing to note here is that your employer should not mention the reason of termination otherwise – such as fired or any other reason which can deny or delay your Employment Insurance payment.

The reasoning on the ROE is usually laid off for company downsizing or in similar lines. So please be careful of what the reason for termination is in your Record Of Employment. 

In addition to receiving financial assistance, the Employment Insurance program also assists the unemployed with job search services.

Once you apply for the Employment Insurance benefits, your application is usually approved provided all the details are duly filled in and ROE is good. 

How To Find Your Employment Insurance Claim Status? 

1. Log in to your My Service Canada Account.

2. Click on the link “View My EI Status and Correspondence” 

3. Then, choose one of the options as per your need. Screenshot below.

How Do I Check My Employment Insurance Claim In The My Service Canada Account? 

The information available in the MSCA Employment Insurance (EI) Claim includes your:

• Weekly benefit rate

• The start and end date of your claim

• The start and end of your waiting period

• Your weekly allowable earnings

• The number of weeks you will be entitled to receive EI benefits

• The number of weeks of EI benefits you have already received

• Payment dates

• Payment deductions if any

Below is the screenshot of the EI Status and Correspondence in My Service Canada Account (you need to log in and click on the first link for EI there)

How Do I Register For The Internet EI Reporting Online? 

Have you applied for the EI (Employment Insurance) and waiting on the weekly payments? 

Do you know that there’s a waiting period before you’ll actually start receiving the EI payments? Yeah, that’s right. 

You will be able to check the EI Application status and the start date of the benefit by logging into the My Service Canada Account account online. 

Simply put, to get your EI Benefit online payments on time every two weeks, you have to fill the MSCA EI Internet Reports on time every week.

How Do I Report My EI Online?

1. First of all, log in to your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) or click the link here to login.

2. Once you have successfully logged into your account, you will see the My Service Canada Welcome screen. Here on this screen, you can “View the EI Payment Information”, “View EI Status and Correspondence”, “View Records Of Employment or ROE” or “Complete your EI report online”

Do remember to complete the “EI Report Online” once every two weeks (bi-weekly) to avoid delayed EI payments. Once you complete the report, the system will automatically show you the next due date, so it’s pretty easy to mark your calendars or remember.

Also, when you log in anytime to the My Service Canada Account (MSCA) and try completing the report if it’s not due yet, the system will prompt you to log back in on the earliest date that you can complete filing the report. (PS – It hardly takes 5 minutes to complete the report)

Screenshot of the My Service Canada Account below (logged in – initial screen): 

3. Click on the “View my EI Status and Correspondence” on the Welcome screen.

Here you will be able to see your EI Payment Information, Records of Employment from employers, Status and Correspondence and much more as seen in the screenshot below. You have a bunch of EI options and can choose accordingly based on what information you want to look into. 

4. Next, click on the EI “My Payments Section”.

Here you can view your current EI payments. Also, you’ll be able to view all your EI payments paid so far. If you have applied for and waiting for the payments to come through, this section is not applicable to you yet. But, this is where you’ll see your EI payment information. So kindly note it down. 

5. Now this one’s really important to note.

In order to get your Employment Insurance (EI) payments on time every 2 weeks, you’ll have to complete the online internet reporting.

Never miss completing your reports on time.

Completing the report is fairly easy. All you have to do is answer basic questions (7 or so with yes/no answers).

Here’s how you can do this – First, click on the Complete My EI Report Online Link

6. Click “Yes” on the pop-up message that shows up. Screenshot below. 

7. You will then be taken to this page – which is where you will have to complete your online Internet Report.

Remember you need to complete reports every 2 weeks for the payments to come through. Never miss out on completing a single report. Mark your calendars if required and complete them on time every two weeks. 

Payments are usually sent to your bank account wired. By Bank account, I mean the banking details you have provided to Service Canada or CRA. 

8. After you have completed the Employment Insurance reports for the previous 2 weeks, you should be expecting payments usually on Tuesdays of the following week into your bank accounts. 

Say for example you complete the report on Friday, you should be receiving the Employment Insurance Payment on Tuesday, next week. (That’s how I used to get paid, so based on the experience I am saying this, might depend on case-to-case basic which I’m not sure)