If a person tests positive for COVID-19 and is under quarantine, but does not develop the illness, or if a person goes into self-isolation, they can apply for Employment Insurance sickness benefits online at http://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness/apply.html by providing a record of employment (ROE) from their employer with the code “D – Illness”. Workers don’t have to wait to receive their ROE statement to apply for sickness benefits.
Two days after submitting their claim for EI sickness benefits, workers should call 1-833-381-2725 (toll free) to waive the one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits.
Don’t go to a Service Canada office. Instead, use online or telephone services at 1 800 O-Canada.
If an employer closes the business and you are laid off indefinitely, you can apply for regular EI benefits at http://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/privacy-notice.html by providing a record of employment (ROE) from your employer with the code “A – Lack of work”.
If someone refuses to work because of the risk of contracting the virus, they can apply for regular EI benefits, but the employer will produce an ROE marked with “E = Voluntary termination” or “N = Leave”.
There is no guarantee these claims will be accepted as each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
In a nutshell:
If a person is under quarantine but does not have the disease: the reason on their record of employment must be “D – Illness”.
If a person goes into voluntary isolation: the reason on their record of employment must be “D – Illness”. Claims will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
If an employer closes his business, the reason on the worker’s record of employment must be “A – Lack of work”.
If a worker refuses to work because of the risk, the reason on their record of employment must be “E – Voluntary termination” or “N = Leave. Claims will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Source: Federal government of Canada
