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Claiming EI for the First Time: What's Different About Your First Claim

Updated

If you’ve never claimed Employment Insurance (EI) before, the rules are the same as for everyone else, but a few things work differently or catch first-time claimants off guard. For the full application steps, see how to apply for EI; for how much you’d get, see how EI works and the EI calculator.

You usually won’t have to repay EI at tax time

Regular EI has to be partly repaid when you file your taxes if your net income for the year is above $86,125 (2026): 30% of the lesser of the amount over that and the regular benefits you received. But you don’t have to repay anything if you received less than 1 week of regular or fishing benefits in the 10 tax years before, which covers most first claims. Special benefits (sickness, maternity, parental, caregiving) are never repaid this way. See how much can I earn on EI before repaying.

The test looks at the 10 tax years before the year being taxed. So once you’ve received 1 week or more of regular benefits, the exemption no longer applies in the following 10 tax years, including the second year of a claim that runs past December 31.

What surprises first-time claimants

  • The first week is usually unpaid. Most claims start with a 1-week waiting period. It was waived for claims that start between March 30, 2025 and October 9, 2027.
  • Nothing is paid until you report. You file a report every 2 weeks, online or by phone, even if you had no work or earnings. Missed reports stop payments; you have 3 weeks to file a late one.
  • You may never see your Record of Employment. Most employers file it electronically. Apply without waiting for it.
  • The amount is based on your best weeks, not your last paycheque, and is capped at $729 a week (2026). See maximum EI payment.
  • EI is taxable. Tax is withheld from each payment and you get a T4E slip for your tax return.
  • Payment takes a few weeks. Service Canada aims to pay or give a decision within 28 days; see how long the first payment takes.

Do you qualify?

To get regular EI you must have lost your job through no fault of your own, have been without work and pay for at least 7 days in a row, have worked 420 to 700 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks depending on your region, and be ready and able to work and looking for work. If you quit or were fired, see can you get EI if you quit and can you be denied EI.

Working while you claim

Part-time or short-term work is allowed, but your earnings reduce your EI, and enough work can stop that week’s payment; see how much can I earn while on EI.

If you’re turned down

Decisions can be challenged; see can you be denied EI.

Sources

The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them between September 28, 2026 and October 7, 2026. How we check facts.