Summary of Issue: Difficulty With Technology

Decision A0291.09 Full Text of Decision A0291.09

The claimant had indicated that the delay in filing his claim was due to his difficulty accessing Teledec, his lack of English language skills, the shortage of information from Service Canada and his belief that he had exhausted all of his benefits with his initial claim. In this case, because of the difficulty that the claimant had in accessing Teledec and because of his limited knowledge of EI benefits due to his language barrier and lack of assistance from Service Canada, the BOR finds the Commission's decision was incorrect. The Board finds that the claimant acted as any reasonable person would have acted in the same situation and showed that he had good cause for the delay. The FCA rejected the AG's arguments indicating that the Umpire had not been shown that the Board erred in applying the legal test for good cause.

Decision 69140 Full Text of Decision 69140

It is not sufficient for Service Canada to require all applicants to report either by using the internet or by using the teledec system. The system of report cards has been in use for a great number of years and although it may be more convenient for Service Canada, it may not be convenient for claimants who do not have the knowledge or education required to report in that manner.