The EI payment schedule in Canada for 2020 differs for every person, making it difficult to keep track — so here's what you need to know.

If you've already figured out how to apply for Employment Insurance through Service Canada, then you've done most of the heavy lifting. You should receive your first payment within 28 days of submitting your application.

However, note that any missing Records of Employment can delay your payments. Your payment may also be delayed due to the unprecedented volume of applications that the system is processing.

1/ Hello Amanda. If you’re entitled to EI benefits & we've received all docs, first payment is usually within 28 days: https://t.co/QsTqM3qF0a Please note: If it has been under 28 days from the date we received your claim, your application may need more time.

— Service Canada (@ServiceCanada_E) July 24, 2019

After initially applying for EI, you must submit reports every two weeks to show that you're still eligible to continue receiving payments. You'll need your SIN and the 4-digit access code.

You can submit your online report online.

Once you submit each report, you'll get the date to submit your next one automatically.

Note that if you became eligible for EI sickness or regular benefits after March 15, your application will be automatically transferred to CERB by Service Canada. You should continue to submit regular reports through the service.

Hi there. If you applied for EI or the CERB through Service Canada, please continue to complete your reports through Service Canada: https://t.co/QLcWM2CrZk

— Service Canada (@ServiceCanada_E) April 15, 2020

If your EI payment has been automatically transferred to CERB, you will receive an initial $2,000 payment. You will then be paid $1,000 every two weeks based on the biweekly reports.

Although Service Canada doesn't give an exact time frame for when each EI payment should arrive, people who opted for direct deposit may receive payment within 48 hours of submitting their report.

You will stop receiving EI payments if you receive all the weeks of benefits to which you were entitled, or you stop filing out your bi-weekly report.