EI Sickness Benefits at a Glance
| Feature |
Details |
| Payment rate |
55% of average weekly earnings |
| Maximum weekly benefit |
$668 (2026) |
| Maximum duration |
26 weeks |
| Waiting period |
1 week (unpaid) |
| Can combine with other EI |
Yes (maternity, parental, caregiving) |
Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement |
Details |
| Insurable hours |
600+ hours in the last 52 weeks |
| Unable to work |
Due to illness, injury, or quarantine |
| Medical certificate |
From doctor or medical practitioner |
| Would otherwise be working |
You’re not on leave for other reasons |
| Regular weekly earnings reduced |
By more than 40% |
How to Apply
Step 1: Get Medical Certificate
Your doctor must certify that you are unable to work and provide an estimated recovery time.
Step 2: Apply Online
- Go to canada.ca/ei
- Sign in to My Service Canada Account
- Select “Sickness benefits” as the reason
- Complete application form
- Submit medical certificate when requested
Step 3: Complete Bi-Weekly Reports
- Report your medical status
- Confirm you’re still unable to work
- Report any partial work or earnings
Sickness Benefits vs Short-Term Disability
| Feature |
EI Sickness |
Employer STD Insurance |
| Payment rate |
55% of earnings |
60-70% of earnings (typical) |
| Maximum duration |
26 weeks |
17-26 weeks (varies) |
| Funded by |
EI premiums |
Employer/employee |
| Waiting period |
1 week |
0-14 days (varies) |
| Taxable |
Yes |
Yes |
Note: You cannot receive both EI sickness and employer STD for the same period. Coordinate with your employer.
Combining Sickness Benefits with Other EI
| Combination |
Maximum Combined Weeks |
| Sickness + Regular EI |
Varies (up to 50 weeks) |
| Sickness + Maternity |
15 weeks maternity + 26 weeks sickness |
| Sickness + Parental |
Parental weeks + 26 weeks sickness |
| Sickness + Caregiving |
26 weeks sickness + caregiving weeks |
Monthly Benefit Examples
| Weekly Earnings |
EI Sickness (55%) |
Monthly (~4.33 weeks) |
| $800/week |
$440/week |
$1,905/month |
| $1,000/week |
$550/week |
$2,382/month |
| $1,215+/week |
$668/week (max) |
$2,892/month |
If Your Employer Has a Top-Up Plan
Some employers offer sick leave top-up plans that supplement EI sickness benefits:
| EI Sickness |
Employer Top-Up |
Total |
| 55% of salary |
30% of salary |
85% of salary |
| 55% of salary |
45% of salary |
100% of salary |
Check your employment contract or HR department.