The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-11-10, Page 42"I hear
there's been
some
changes in
Unemployment Insurance.
What's the story?"
New legislation has changed some of
the ground rules of our UI program.
In general, the rules of eligibility
and payment have been improved. Now
they more accurately reflect the ease or
difficulty of finding and keeping a job in
the region in which each UI claimant
lives.
Parliament has decided that people
who live in areas of high unemployment
will be given certain advantages over
those who live where jobs are more
plentiful.
"That's all well and good.
But what does it mean to
the person who just lost a job?"
On December 4, the entrance
requirements will change.
In regions of low unemployment,
claimants will need up to 14 weeks of
insurable employment to get UI benefits.
This will only happen in places where it's
easier to get and keep a job.
In regions of high unemployment,
claimants will need as little as 10 weeks
to qualify.
But until December 4, the entrance
requirement remains at eight weeks
wherever you live.
"Does all this affect
the waiting period?"
No: The basic two week waiting
period remains the same everywhere.
And so do the rules about setting the
waiting period when a claimant has left
his or her job for no good reason or been
fired for misconduct. In such cases, a
claimant may have to wait up to eight
weeks from when employment ends until
benefits become payable.
"And how long can you get
benefits for?"
The old maximum was 51 weeks.
The new maximum is 50 weeks.
But since September 11, the total
number of weeks for which a claimant
qualifies also reflects the unemployment
rate in his or her region.
Right now, we measure unemploy-
ment by dividing Canada -into 16
economic regions. Later, in 1978, we will
fine-tune the program to 54 regions so
that UI will be even more closely related
to local labour market conditions.
s "Do you still get the same
amount of money?"
- Absolutely. The UI benefit rate is
two-thirds of your average weekly insur-
able earnings.
The maximum is $147, less tax.
"Then
there's
maternity,
sickness and
age 65 benefits.
Any 'changes there?"
Sickness benefits were only payable
during the first 39 weeks of the claim.
Now they are payable at any time during
the entire benefit period.
Maternity benefits of 15 weeks and
the special one-time benefit (equal to
three weeks' benefits) .at age 65 remain
the same.
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