How much does EI pay in Canada?

EI pays 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $668 per week ($34,736/year) in 2025. The maximum insurable earnings are $65,700. Most claimants receive between $300–$668 per week depending on their previous earnings.

How many hours do I need to qualify for EI?

You need 420–700 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate in your region. In areas with high unemployment, fewer hours are needed. For EI sickness benefits, you need 600 insurable hours.

Can I get EI if I quit my job?

Generally no. If you voluntarily leave without just cause, you are not eligible for regular EI benefits. However, if you quit for reasons the government considers just cause — harassment, unsafe conditions, following a spouse who relocated, or significant changes to your job — you may still qualify.

How long does it take to get your first EI payment?

There is a one-week unpaid waiting period after your claim starts. After that, it typically takes 28 days from filing to receive your first payment. Payments are made biweekly via direct deposit or cheque.

EI Guide Canada 2026 | Employment Insurance Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply

Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary income when you lose your job, get sick, have a baby, or care for a family member. It’s funded by premiums deducted from your paycheque and matched by your employer. Almost every working Canadian pays into EI — knowing how to access it when you need it can mean the difference between financial stability and crisis.

Types of EI Benefits

Benefit Type	Maximum Duration	Weekly Benefit	Key Requirement
Regular (job loss)	14–45 weeks	55% of earnings (max $668/wk)	420–700 hours
Sickness	26 weeks	55% of earnings (max $668/wk)	600 hours
Maternity	15 weeks	55% of earnings (max $668/wk)	600 hours
Parental (standard)	40 weeks (35 per parent)	55% of earnings (max $668/wk)	600 hours
Parental (extended)	69 weeks (61 per parent)	33% of earnings (max $401/wk)	600 hours
Caregiving	26 weeks	55% of earnings (max $668/wk)	600 hours
Compassionate care	26 weeks	55% of earnings (max $668/wk)	600 hours

Regular EI Benefits (Job Loss)

Eligibility

To qualify for regular EI after losing your job:

You were employed in insurable employment
You lost your job through no fault of your own (layoff, company closure, end of contract)
You accumulated enough insurable hours in the past 52 weeks (420–700 hours depending on regional unemployment rate)
You are ready, willing, and able to work
You are actively looking for work

How Many Hours Do You Need?

Regional Unemployment Rate	Hours Required
Over 13%	420 hours
11.1–13%	455 hours
9.1–11%	490 hours
7.1–9%	525 hours
6.1–7%	595 hours
6% or less	700 hours

How Much Will You Receive?

EI pays 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, calculated from your best weeks of earnings in the qualifying period.

Previous Weekly Earnings	Weekly EI Benefit
$500	$275
$800	$440
$1,000	$550
$1,200	$660
$1,215+	$668 (maximum)

EI Calculator: EI Calculator

How Long Do Benefits Last?

Duration depends on hours worked and regional unemployment rate: 14 to 45 weeks.

Hours Worked	Low Unemployment Area	High Unemployment Area
420–454	Not eligible	14 weeks
700	14 weeks	23 weeks
1,000	21 weeks	32 weeks
1,400	29 weeks	40 weeks
1,820+	36 weeks	45 weeks

Can You Get EI If You Quit?

Generally no — voluntarily leaving without just cause disqualifies you. Exceptions include:

Workplace harassment or unsafe conditions
Significant unilateral changes to your job terms
Following a spouse who must relocate
Caring for a child or immediate family member
Discrimination

Full guide: Can You Get EI If You Quit?

Related: Can You Be Denied EI Benefits?

EI Maternity and Parental Benefits

Maternity Benefits (Birth Parent Only)

Feature	Details
Duration	15 weeks
Rate	55% of earnings (max $668/wk)
Who can claim	Birth parent only
Earliest start	12 weeks before due date
Hours required	600

Parental Benefits (Either Parent)

Option	Duration	Rate	Max Weekly
Standard	40 weeks total (35 per parent)	55%	$668
Extended	69 weeks total (61 per parent)	33%	$401

Standard pays more per week; extended pays less per week but for longer. The total payout is roughly the same — extended just stretches it over more time.

Detailed guides:

EI Sickness Benefits

Feature	Details
Duration	Up to 26 weeks
Rate	55% of earnings (max $668/wk)
Hours required	600
Medical certificate	Required

Sickness benefits cover you when illness, injury, or quarantine prevents you from working. You need a medical certificate from your doctor.

Full guide: EI Sickness Benefits

EI Caregiving Benefits

Benefit	Duration	Who It’s For
Family caregiver (children)	35 weeks	Caring for critically ill child
Family caregiver (adults)	15 weeks	Caring for critically ill adult
Compassionate care	26 weeks	Caring for someone at risk of death

Full guide: EI Caregiving Benefits

How to Apply for EI

Get your Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer (they must issue one within 5 days)
Apply online at canada.ca/ei (do this as soon as possible — the clock starts ticking)
Complete biweekly reports to confirm you’re looking for work and report any earnings
Wait for the one-week unpaid waiting period to pass
Receive your first payment (typically 28 days after applying)

Timeline: How Long Until My First EI Payment?

EI Payment Dates

EI is paid biweekly via direct deposit (2 business days after processing) or by cheque (mailed).

Full schedule: EI Payment Dates 2026

Working While on EI

You can work and still collect EI, but your benefits are reduced:

Earnings	EI Deduction
First 50% of weekly benefit (or $150, whichever is higher)	Keep full amount — no deduction
Earnings above that threshold	Deducted dollar for dollar
Earnings exceed weekly benefit	No EI payment that week

Full rules:

EI Contribution Rates

Year	Employee Rate	Employer Rate	Max Insurable Earnings	Max Employee Premium
2025	1.64%	2.30%	$65,700	$1,077.48
2026	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD

Full details: EI Contribution Rates