I am a 4th year apprentice cabinet maker. During my 4th year of training two weeks into my course I broke my ankle (see my photos if you want see something cool!). As an apprentice Im entitled to receive benefits while training because I am unable to work during said training. This is great, I love getting money while learning my trade. For the last 4 years its been a little confusing, but never frustrating. I understand the two week wait period all that blah blah filling claims (if Im not working my second job), so far its been a harmonious relationship.
Now, 2 weeks into the course, broken leg, no longer can I receive training as I would be incopacitated for the next 2-3 months as it was a pretty bad break with lots of rehab involved. I still can't work. And thats the big problem right now! Im an unemployed apprentice registered in the province of British Columbia, and as an apprentice or any worker with a salary for that matter I am entitled to employment benefits if I am unable to work!
Sweet, but Service Canada requires documentation from my DR. Ok done! 2 weeks later the DR fills it out. Sweet. But Service Canada wont accept it because the DR failed to mention when I suffered the injury. I told the Service Canada people when I did it.. Ok Sweet, they might accept it. Im awaiting approval. Weeks go by.. Ok Im approved. Then Service Canada tells me I need a letter or word from the school that I am no longer a student... WHY? Ok I do it anyways... The school tells me that the apprenticeship board has ALWAYS taken care of this little detail in the past.. Ok fine, your the school your in direct contact with the apprenticeship board. You do it... Alright, that has been done, now the gears are in motion! I can't wait to tell service canada the good news. Service Canada then tells me that after processing my request and looking at my file, that they are not very intelligent!! And they must send away my file to an insurance agent who in their words, "is higher up even than we are!!!". I waited a week from the call from this insurance agent. I got nothing (I was told 5 business days) so I called service canada, they patched me through to the agent handling my file. He told me it takes 21 days to process! Phew... I get a break now! I don't have to think about this minced ass of a situation for 21 days...
17 minutes later, I gave them some extra time to prepare!
Im bitching and moaning I guess because this is infact the way Service Canada deals with its clients and how it deals with EI. Theres no getting around it. I totally understand.
How have your past dealings with EI gone?
now 19 minutes after the hour. I think they are ready now..
