Service Canada Provides Mobile Outreach Services for Citizens of Lac Megantic

LAC MEGANTIC, QC, July 9, 2013 /CNW/ - The Service Canada Centre (SCC) in Lac-Megantic is temporarily closed due to the events of this weekend.

"The people in our community are currently going through an extremely difficult time and our thoughts are with all the families and those affected by this horrible tragedy," says Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, Minister of State (Agriculture) and Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable. "We will, as a government, do our best to facilitate access to services that people of Lac-Mégantic need now more than ever."

"It is important that I make sure that the people in our community know that, through the EI program, support measures are available if they find themselves temporarily unable to work."

In order to serve citizens affected by this situation, a Mobile Outreach Site has been set up to provide access to Government of Canada programs and services including Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security. The mobile outreach services are available at:

• Polyvalente Montignac,
  3409 Laval Street, unit 1061
  Lac-Megantic

Citizens can also access services by calling 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) or by visiting nearby Service Canada locations:

• Saint-Georges Service Canada Centre
  11400 1st Avenue East, Floor 2,
  Saint-Georges

• Thetford Mines Service Canada Centre
  350 Frontenac Boulevard West, Office 500,
  Thetford Mines

In addition, Service Canada is providing an online reference code for those applying for Employment Insurance. This will help to facilitate and accelerate the processing of EI claims for affected workers in Lac-Megantic. Claimants will be asked to enter their reference code during the application process. The reference code is 2371-01-2013-832441.

Workers impacted in Lac-Megantic are encouraged to submit their claim for EI benefits as soon as possible, even without their Record of Employment.

For more information, please visit servicecanada.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

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