EI Contact information – Individuals

You can complete the following tasks online:

• submit your EI report with the Internet Reporting Service
• apply for direct deposit
• learn how to apply for EI benefits
• use My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to:
  • view my current claim
  • view my past claims
  • view my payment information
  • view my EI messages
  • view my records of employment
  • view EI publications
  • obtain a copy of your T4E
  • update your mailing address and telephone number

You can submit your EI reports using the Telephone Reporting Service.

Employment Insurance Telephone Information Service

The Employment Insurance Telephone Information Service is an automated telephone service that provides general and more specific information on the EI program. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When you call, you can use self-service options to:

• submit electronic reports
• get information on benefits, including your specific claim

To get more information or make changes to your claim, you may speak with an EI representative during business hours.

For information about Canada Emergency Response Benefit claims filed with Service Canada, please also contact this telephone service. Please note that the period to apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is now closed.

To access information about your claim, you will need your SIN and access code, which you will find on the benefit statement that is mailed to you after you apply for benefits.

Toll-Free: 1-800-206-7218
TTY: 1-800-529-3742

The hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time, Monday to Friday.

Average wait times

Our service standard is to answer your call within 10 minutes. Please see below our average wait times for the week of January 16, 2023.

To resolve your enquiry without waiting to speak to a representative, you may use one of our online self-service options or one of the telephone self-service options described above.

You can complete the following tasks by mail:

• submit your EI claimant reports
• submit supporting documentation

Service changes due to COVID-19

We urge you not to visit Service Canada Centres unless absolutely necessary.

Ask us to help you with the following programs by using eServiceCanada:

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits
• Social Insurance Numbers (SIN)
• Veterans Affairs Canada Services

We will call you back within 2 business days.

You can complete the following tasks at a Service Canada Centre:

• submit supporting documents
• accept Proof of Identity documents
• authenticate appointed representatives and third parties
• telephone interpretation services
• obtain a temporary access code

Find a Service Canada office near you

Protecting your information

You now need to show valid ID and answer verification questions at Service Canada Centres to access your file.

To be accepted, your valid ID needs to show your legal name, photo, signature and/or date of birth.

Examples of accepted ID include:

• One of the following:
  • a passport (Canadian or foreign) or permanent resident card
  • a Certificate of Indian Status issued by the Government of Canada
  • a provincial or territorial ID card or drivers license
• or 2 of the following:
  • a birth certificate (provincial or territorial)
  • a certificate of Canadian citizenship
  • a certificate of registration of birth abroad
  • any other government-issued ID

No ID is required to ask about our programs or services.