After a bit of procrastination my application for EI is in, just over four and a half months late.

I gave Service Canada’s online EI application high marks in the customer satisfaction survey at the end. This opinion will swing wildly if my application is denied, but that’s where I am point-in-time.

The only complaint I have about the process is their estimate of the time required. Rounding conservatively, I started at eleven in the morning and finished just now at one in the PM — two hours, when they said it would take one: 100% error.

Still, I guess most people don’t have a whole business plan to enter.

Here’s another tip: When the site displays you a summary of what you’ve entered so far, save it locally (also save confirmation and reference numbers like you normally would). Depending on your flow through the application you might be required to double-enter SUBSTANTIAL amounts of information — copy/paste is a BIG time saver, and ensures consistency.

Last night I was thinking, for fun, about how I’d design a country from the ground-up if I had the opportunity. I ended up with Canada, except for some libertarian bits around the edges. I know that just means all the propaganda has worked on me, but still: Socialist Capitalism rules.

I only ever thought about Employment Insurance when I bothered opening a pay stub. Now I’m going to make a claim, and I’ve already made one key mistake.

It’s never taken me longer than two weeks to find a job once I really started looking, an easy financial jump. When I gave up on employment I extended that strategy out: “I’ll just live on severance!”

Error.

The idea is to apply for EI the day you lose your job. I have no being-out-of-work experience, and now there’s a financial penalty to pay.

Oh, and Service Canada are the guys you want to talk to.