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Who is eligible?

All workers who have accumulated enough hours of work paying into EI and who are out of work for reasons beyond their control (like contract workers whose contract ends) are eligible to claim benefits.
How many hours do you need?

The number depends on several factors. If you live in Hamilton, the current minimum is 630 hours in the 52 weeks prior to becoming unemployed (this period is called the “qualifying” and the “first look-back” period). It is different in different areas because the government bases the figure on the local official employment rate.

For eligibility requirements and information for Hamilton, click here.

To calculate the hours for other regions, click here.

However, if you are considered a “new entrant” or “re-entrant” into the labour market, you will need 910 EI insurable hours to qualify. To avoid that status, you need to have worked at least 490 hours in the 52 weeks prior to the qualifying period (the “second look-back” period). You will need records of employment (ROEs) for both years if you have between 630 and 910 hours. You can add together all EI-insurable jobs you have had in those periods to make up those hours, so you’ll need to get ROEs from all past employers during this period.

How do hours work for Sessional Faculty and Sessional Music Faculty?

Sessionl Faculty are credited with 238 EI-insurable hours per 3 units taught. Sessional Music Faculty are credited at a rate of 1 EI hour per 1 instruction hour. If your Record of Employment inaccurately credits your EI hours, or if you believe these hours do not fully account for all hours worked, please contact staff@cupe3906 immediately, and we will assist you in resolving the discrepancy.

How can I access my ROE for McMaster?

The Employer’s current practice is to file Records of Employment (“ROE’s”) electronically with Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Employees are currently able to view and print their ROE’s from the “servicecanada” website. View the page here: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/online/mysca.shtml

What if I worked more than 238 hours per 3-units of teaching? How can I be credited with all of the EI insurable hours I’ve worked?

Sessional Faculty members who have worked beyond 238 hours during any 3-unit course should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for information about how to request a change to your ROE to reflect all hours worked. Normally, you should be proactive, and inform the union and your supervisor (the chair of your department) within the first 60 days of the relevant course that work beyond 238 hours may be required. Normally, documentation illustrating the overwork must be submitted in full no later than 30 days following the last day of classes in the relevant term.

Note: The normal breakdown of hours toward the total of 238 is as follows:

* 42 hours of in class time
* 168 hours of preparation, marking, meetings, administrative tasks
* 28 hours of office hours and student consultation

How much are the benefits?

Benefits are paid at 55% of your average weekly earning (based on your earnings over the last 6 month) to a weekly maximum of $435. There are no benefits paid for the first two weeks of unemployment.

How long do benefits last?

This also depends on the local unemployment rate and your total hours worked in a qualifying period. In Hamilton, benefits last between 22 and 45 weeks.

When did I start and stop work?

That depends on the contract -- McMaster Sessional contracts have various end dates. Check your Letter of Appointment and your Record of Employment. Contact staff@cupe3906 if you have any questions.

While on benefits what do I do?

You are required to be available for employment and be actively looking for work. These are separate criteria:

“Available” means that if someone offered you a job tomorrow you would take it. That’s why you cannot claim benefits while out of the country.

“Actively looking” means that are doing everything reasonable to find work in your general field in which you found work before. Since part-time academics have established a pattern of work as part-time academics, you are allowed to restrict your search to academic work, at least for the first few months of benefits. After that, the government will expect you to broaden your search to related kinds of work.