Another EI change will let workers on EI keep cash they make from new jobs.

The federal government has launched a new Employment Insurance program to allow people to claim more cash while working.

"Our government's top priorities are job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians," said Langley MP Mark Warawa. "This new pilot project will let EI claimants keep more of what they earn, ensuring they always benefit from accepting available work."

The pilot project is called Working While on Claim. The project increases the incentive for claimants to accept available jobs by allowing them to keep more of what they earn while on EI, as benefits are only reduced by 50 percent of total earnings from working while on claim. Minister of Human Resources Diane Finley announced these changes on August 2, 2012.

"I have heard from many Langley constituents who have been on Employment Insurance, complain that up to now, they have had to refuse paid work while on claim because the dollar for dollar clawback, plus childcare costs involved with going to work, make working while on claim a financial loss," says Warawa. "This pilot project should encourage more Canadians to get increased work experience and learn new skills while on claim."

This past spring, the government announced several targeted changes to encourage Canadians to stay active in the job market and to remove disincentives to work. These changes include better connecting Canadians to available opportunities in their local area, clarifying their responsibilities while collecting EI, and establishing a new pan-Canadian approach for calculating EI benefits so that those living in regions with comparable labour market conditions receive similar benefits.

More information is available at www.actionplan.gc.ca.