EI Payment Dates 2026
Employment Insurance (EI) is paid every two weeks after you file your biweekly report. Unlike CPP and OAS, EI does not have a fixed monthly payment date β your schedule depends on when your claim started.
2026 EI Reporting & Payment Calendar
Your biweekly report is due every other Saturday. Payments arrive within 2 business days (direct deposit) or 5-7 business days (cheque).
| Report Due (Saturday) | Direct Deposit (Est.) | Report Due (Saturday) | Direct Deposit (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 3, 2026 | January 6-7 | July 4, 2026 | July 7-8 |
| January 17, 2026 | January 20-21 | July 18, 2026 | July 21-22 |
| January 31, 2026 | February 3-4 | August 1, 2026 | August 4-5 |
| February 14, 2026 | February 17-18 | August 15, 2026 | August 18-19 |
| February 28, 2026 | March 3-4 | August 29, 2026 | September 1-2 |
| March 14, 2026 | March 17-18 | September 12, 2026 | September 15-16 |
| March 28, 2026 | March 31-April 1 | September 26, 2026 | September 29-30 |
| April 11, 2026 | April 14-15 | October 10, 2026 | October 14-15 |
| April 25, 2026 | April 28-29 | October 24, 2026 | October 27-28 |
| May 9, 2026 | May 12-13 | November 7, 2026 | November 10-11 |
| May 23, 2026 | May 26-27 | November 21, 2026 | November 24-25 |
| June 6, 2026 | June 9-10 | December 5, 2026 | December 8-9 |
| June 20, 2026 | June 23-24 | December 19, 2026 | December 22-23 |
Note: If a statutory holiday delays processing, your payment may arrive one day later.
2026 EI Benefit Amounts
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Benefit rate | 55% of average insurable earnings |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $729 |
| Maximum insurable earnings | $68,900 |
| Maximum annual benefit | ~$37,908 |
| Waiting period | 1 week (unpaid) |
Weekly EI Benefit Examples
| Previous Weekly Earnings | Weekly EI Benefit |
|---|---|
| $500 | $275 |
| $800 | $440 |
| $1,000 | $550 |
| $1,200 | $660 |
| $1,325+ | $729 (maximum) |
How to file your EI report
- Online: Log in to My Service Canada Account and complete your biweekly report
- By phone: Call the automated reporting line at 1-800-531-7555
You must file your report every two weeks, even if you haven’t found work. Missing a report will delay your payment.
How to set up direct deposit
Set up direct deposit through My Service Canada Account or by calling Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218. Direct deposit ensures your payment arrives 2 business days after filing, compared to 5-7 days by mail.
EI benefit duration
| Regional Unemployment Rate | Hours Needed | Maximum Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| 6% or less | 700 | 36 |
| 6.1% - 7% | 665 | 38 |
| 7.1% - 8% | 630 | 40 |
| 8.1% - 9% | 595 | 42 |
| 9.1% - 10% | 560 | 44 |
| Over 10% | 420-525 | 45 |