EI Benefits Overview
What EI Provides
| Type |
Purpose |
| Regular benefits |
Lost job (not your fault) |
| Maternity benefits |
Pregnancy/birth |
| Parental benefits |
New child care |
| Sickness benefits |
Illness/injury |
| Compassionate care |
Caring for seriously ill |
| Caregiving benefits |
Critical illness/injury |
How Much EI Pays 2026
Benefit Calculation
| Component |
Amount |
| Benefit rate |
55% of earnings |
| Maximum weekly |
~$695 |
| Maximum insurable earnings |
~$65,700/year |
| Best weeks used |
14-22 depending on region |
Example Calculations
| Weekly Earnings |
EI Payment |
| $500 |
$275/week |
| $800 |
$440/week |
| $1,000 |
$550/week |
| $1,264+ |
$695/week (max) |
EI Eligibility Requirements
Hours Needed
| Regional Unemployment Rate |
Hours Required |
| 6% or less |
700 hours |
| 6.1% - 7% |
665 hours |
| 7.1% - 8% |
630 hours |
| 8.1% - 9% |
595 hours |
| 9.1% - 10% |
560 hours |
| 10.1% - 11% |
525 hours |
| 11.1% - 12% |
490 hours |
| 12.1% - 13% |
455 hours |
| Over 13% |
420 hours |
Other Requirements
| Requirement |
Details |
| Lost job |
Through no fault of your own |
| Available for work |
Ready and able |
| Actively seeking |
Looking for employment |
| Filed taxes |
ROE from employer |
How Long Benefits Last
Weeks of Benefits
| Hours Worked |
Low Unemployment |
High Unemployment |
| 420-454 |
Not eligible |
14 weeks |
| 700-734 |
14 weeks |
25 weeks |
| 910-944 |
18 weeks |
31 weeks |
| 1,120-1,154 |
22 weeks |
37 weeks |
| 1,400-1,434 |
27 weeks |
42 weeks |
| 1,820+ |
36 weeks |
45 weeks |
EI Special Benefits
Maternity Benefits
| Feature |
Details |
| Duration |
15 weeks |
| Who |
Biological mothers |
| When |
Around birth |
| Amount |
55% (max $695/week) |
Parental Benefits (Standard)
| Feature |
Details |
| Duration |
Up to 40 weeks |
| Shareable |
Between parents |
| One parent max |
35 weeks |
| Amount |
55% (max $695/week) |
Parental Benefits (Extended)
| Feature |
Details |
| Duration |
Up to 69 weeks |
| Rate |
33% of earnings |
| Max weekly |
~$417/week |
| One parent max |
61 weeks |
Sickness Benefits
| Feature |
Details |
| Duration |
Up to 26 weeks |
| For |
Illness, injury, quarantine |
| Amount |
55% (max $695/week) |
Compassionate Care
| Feature |
Details |
| Duration |
Up to 26 weeks |
| For |
Caring for dying family |
| Shareable |
Among family members |
How to Apply for EI
Step-by-Step
| Step |
Action |
| 1 |
Get ROE from employer |
| 2 |
Apply online at canada.ca |
| 3 |
Complete application |
| 4 |
Provide SIN, banking info |
| 5 |
Wait for decision |
What You Need
| Document |
Required |
| Social Insurance Number |
Yes |
| Record of Employment |
Yes |
| Direct deposit info |
Recommended |
| Address, phone |
Yes |
| Last employer info |
Yes |
Timeline
| Stage |
Duration |
| Apply after last day |
Within 4 weeks |
| Processing |
28 days standard |
| First payment |
After 1-week waiting period |
EI Waiting Period
One-Week Unpaid
| Feature |
Details |
| Duration |
1 week |
| Unpaid |
No benefits |
| Per claim |
Once |
| Starts |
When claim begins |
EI Taxes
Benefits Are Taxable
| Consideration |
Details |
| Taxable income |
Yes |
| Tax withheld |
Federal only (usually) |
| T4E slip |
Received for tax season |
| May owe |
Provincial taxes |
Tax Withholding Options
| Request |
Rate |
| Minimum |
~10% federal |
| Can request more |
Up to 30% |
Working While on EI
Earnings Rules
| Earnings |
Impact |
| First 50% of benefit |
Keep it |
| Above 50% |
Deducted dollar-for-dollar |
| Earn more than benefit |
Lose that week |
Example
| Scenario |
Calculation |
| Weekly EI benefit |
$500 |
| Allowed earnings |
$250 (50%) |
| You earn |
$200 |
| You keep |
$500 + $200 = $700 |
EI Clawback (Repayment)
For High Earners
| If Net Income Over |
Repayment |
| ~$79,000 |
30% of benefits |
| Maximum repayment |
30% |
First-Time Claimants
| If First-Time |
Exempt |
| Yes |
No repayment required |
| Special benefits |
Exempt from repayment |
EI Premiums 2026
What You Pay
| Component |
Rate |
| Employee rate |
~1.63% of earnings |
| Maximum employee |
~$1,070/year |
| Employer rate |
1.4x employee |
| Self-employed |
Can opt in |
Regional Differences
Unemployment Rates Affect
| Higher Unemployment |
Benefits |
| Fewer hours needed |
To qualify |
| More weeks |
Of benefits |
| Better weeks used |
In calculation |
Common EI Questions
Can I Quit and Get EI?
| Situation |
Eligible? |
| Quit without cause |
No |
| Quit for just cause |
Maybe |
| Harassment |
Yes, with documentation |
| Unsafe conditions |
Yes, with documentation |
What If I’m Fired?
| Situation |
Eligible? |
| Fired for misconduct |
No |
| Fired for performance |
Usually yes |
| Laid off |
Yes |
| Contract ended |
Yes |
EI vs Other Benefits
Comparison
| Program |
Purpose |
| EI |
Job loss |
| CPP disability |
Long-term disability |
| Workers’ comp |
Workplace injury |
| Social assistance |
Last resort |