Summary of Issue: Family Realated Illness

Decision A0250.11 Full Text of Decision A0250.11

The claimant was approved for training under section 25 of the EIA from September 1, 2010 to June 22, 2012. Three weeks prior to the commencement of his training, the claimant quit his employment for personal reasons stating that he had to quit his employment as he needed to care for his ill sister and prepare for his return to school. The Commission found that the claimant was not entitled to regular benefits from August 12, 2010 to August 27, 2010 because he had failed to prove his availability. The BOR found the issue of availability was a nullity following the finding on the issue of just cause for the voluntary leaving. The FCA found that both the BOR and Umpire failed to deal with the issue of availability which was before them. The FCA found that because the claimant had to care for his sister on a continuous and ongoing basis during this period, he was not available for work.