Changes to Employment Insurance appeals at the Appeal Division

On April 1, changes to the Employment Insurance (EI) appeals process went into effect. Related amendments to the Social Security Tribunal Rules of Procedure opens a new window  took effect the same day.

I’d like to share some more details on what these changes mean for EI appeals at our Appeal Division.

Permission to appeal
You no longer need permission to appeal to the Appeal Division. Any party has the right to appeal EI decisions from the General Division – EI Section or the new EI Board of Appeal.

Typical deadlines
After sending us the Notice of Appeal, the appellant will usually have 30 days to send us arguments supporting their appeal. Then, the other parties involved in the appeal will have 30 days to respond.

The hearing will usually take place within 30 days after the last deadline has passed.

Appeals with a constitutional question
The appeal process will be different for appeals about a constitutional question (such as a challenge under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms). Unlike other EI appeals at the Appeal Division, parties can present testimony and written evidence. These appeals will be case managed by an Appeal Division member.

New service standards
The Appeal Division will issue a final decision within 90 days from the last filing deadline and within 60 days of the hearing, 80% of the time.

You can review the entire appeal process on our website. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.