# Can a private charity help pay for my unemployment benefits if the government won't? - Jurisdiction: Canada - Practice area: Employment Law - Published: 2026-11-05 - Last updated: 2026-11-05 - Canonical: https://lawasked.com/ca/employment-law/can-private-charity-help-pay-my-unemployment-benefits ## Question I am currently living in Canada and have been struggling since I was laid off from my retail job on October 14th. For the past two months, I have been trying to navigate the system to get my regular benefits, but my claim was denied because my previous employer didn't contribute enough to the specific fund they expected. I have already spent several hours on the phone with the service centre and even sent a formal letter of complaint last week, but nothing has changed. However, a local non-profit organisation that helps workers in my community told me yesterday that they might be able to step in. They mentioned they have a special programme where they might be able to cover some of the costs or administrative fees related to support measures for people in my exact situation. I am confused about how this actually works. Is it possible for a private group or a different government agency to make a formal deal to handle or pay for parts of these benefits? I want to know if a private organisation is legally allowed to enter into an agreement to help fund or manage these types of social measures for me. ## Summary Yes, it is legally possible for a private organization to enter into an agreement with the government to help fund or manage certain support measures. However, this depends on whether the Commission has already established such an agreement with that specific non-profit. ## Analysis Under the Employment Insurance Act, the government has the authority to partner with outside groups to help manage or fund support programs. Specifically, the Commission may, with the approval of the Minister, "enter into an agreement with a government or government agency in Canada or any other public or private organization to provide for the payment of contributions for all or a portion of... any costs of measures implemented by the government... or any administration costs" [1]. This means that the non-profit organization you spoke to might be part of a formal arrangement where they help pay for costs related to support measures that align with government guidelines [1]. Additionally, the Commission has the power to let private organizations handle the actual work of running these programs. The law states the Commission may "enter into an agreement or arrangement for the administration of employment support measures on its behalf by a... public or private organization" [2]. This refers to administration, which is the process of managing the day-to-day tasks of a program [2]. While these agreements allow for funding and management support, there are strict rules regarding your actual benefits. For example, benefits are generally not "capable of being assigned, charged, attached, anticipated or given as security" [3]. This means you cannot legally trade or give away your right to receive your unemployment benefits to someone else [3]. It is unclear if the specific non-profit you mentioned has a formal agreement with the Commission to cover your specific situation. The law allows these agreements to exist, but it does not guarantee that every charity has one or that they can pay for your personal benefit claim if you were denied due to insufficient employer contributions. ## Statutory citations - Employment Insurance Act, S.C. 1996, c. 23, s. 63 - Agreements for paying costs of similar benefits and measures [in force] (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-5.6/index.html#s-63) > The Commission may, with the approval of the Minister, enter into an agreement with a government or government agency in Canada or any other public or private organization to provide for the payment of contributions for all or a portion of (a) any costs of measures implemented by the government, government agency or organization that are consistent with the purpose and guidelines of this Part; and (b) any administration costs... - Employment Insurance Act, S.C. 1996, c. 23, s. 62 - Agreements for administering employment support measures [in force] (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-5.6/index.html#s-62) > The Commission may, with the approval of the Minister, enter into an agreement or arrangement for the administration of employment support measures on its behalf by a... public or private organization. - Employment Insurance Act, S.C. 1996, c. 23, s. 42 - Benefits not assignable [in force] (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/E-5.6/index.html#s-42) > benefits are not capable of being assigned, charged, attached, anticipated or given as security and any transaction appearing to do so is void. --- General information only, not legal advice. See https://lawasked.com/disclaimer