Service Canada is ready to support Canadians affected by COVID-19 and placed in quarantine.

Individuals who are asked to stay at home, or who are in self-quarantine, can not always complete their work from home. Therefore, Service Canda has made special exceptions when it comes to Employment Insurance (EI) and the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing or you are in self-isolation or quarantine, do not visit or enter any Service Canada office. As an alternative, you may access their services online or by calling 1 800 O-Canada.

Employment Insurance provides up to 15 weeks of income replacement for a variety of reasons for which one can not work. Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance sickness benefits.

According to Service Canada, they have put these support actions in place to help individuals in quarantine.

  • The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim.
  • Establishing a new dedicated toll-free phone number to support inquiries related to waiving the EI sickness benefits waiting period.
  • Priority EI application processing for EI sickness claims for clients under quarantine.
  • People claiming EI sickness benefits due to quarantine will not have to provide a medical certificate.
  • People who cannot complete their claim for EI sickness benefits due to quarantine may apply later and have their EI claim backdated to cover the period of delay.

For the new dedicated EI toll-free phone number if you are in quarantine, call 1-833-381-2725.