How much does EI pay in Canada?

EI pays 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of approximately $695 per week (2026). The maximum insurable earnings are $65,700 per year. If you earned less than the maximum, your weekly benefit is 55% of your average weekly earnings based on your best weeks.

How long can you collect EI?

EI regular benefits last between 14 and 45 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate in your region and the number of insurable hours you accumulated. In regions with high unemployment (over 16%), you can receive benefits for up to 45 weeks. In regions with low unemployment (6% or less), the maximum is typically 36 weeks with 700+ hours.

How many hours do you need to qualify for EI?

You need between 420 and 700 insurable hours in the 52 weeks before your claim (qualifying period), depending on the unemployment rate in your region. In high unemployment regions (over 13%), you need only 420 hours. In low unemployment regions (6% or less), you need 700 hours.

What is the EI waiting period?

There is a mandatory one-week waiting period before EI benefits begin. During this week, you will not receive any payment. It functions like a deductible — the first week of unemployment is unpaid. Some employer severance packages cover this waiting period.

Are EI benefits taxable?

Yes. EI benefits are fully taxable income. Federal and provincial income tax is withheld at source. If your total income for the year (including EI) exceeds $79,000, you must repay 30% of the lesser of your net income in excess of $79,000 or your total EI benefits. This is the EI clawback.

What is the best weeks calculation?

Your weekly benefit is based on your highest-paid weeks (best weeks) during the qualifying period. The number of best weeks used for calculation ranges from 14 to 22, depending on your regional unemployment rate. If the unemployment rate is high (over 13%), only your best 14 weeks are used, which increases your average.

Can you work while on EI?

Yes. Under the Working While on Claim rules, you can earn up to 50 cents for every dollar of EI benefits, or 90% of your previous weekly earnings (whichever is less) before your benefits are reduced dollar-for-dollar. Any earnings must be reported to Service Canada. Working while on EI can extend your claim.

What is EI sickness benefits?

EI sickness benefits provide up to 26 weeks of benefits at 55% of your insurable earnings (same rate as regular EI) if you cannot work due to illness, injury, or quarantine. You need a medical certificate and 600 insurable hours to qualify. Unlike regular EI, sickness benefits do not depend on regional unemployment rates.

EI Calculator

The EI calculator estimates your Employment Insurance benefits in Canada. Enter your earnings, insurable hours, region, and claim type to see your weekly benefit amount, benefit duration, and total estimated payments.

How this EI calculator works

Enter your average weekly insurable earnings (or annual salary), the reason for your claim, your regional unemployment rate, and your insurable hours. The calculator determines your eligibility, weekly benefit, duration, and total expected benefits including the one-week waiting period.

Estimated Weekly EI Benefit

Average Weekly Earnings

EI Benefit Rate

2025 Maximum Weekly Benefit

Your Weekly Benefit

Benefit Duration

Total Benefits (before tax)

Monthly Equivalent

Income Replacement %

Eligibility Check

Insurable Hours

Minimum Hours Required

Eligibility

Note: A one-week waiting period applies. EI benefits are taxable income. Actual benefit amounts depend on your best weeks of earnings and regional economic conditions.

EI benefit rates and maximums (2026)

Feature	2026 Amount
Benefit rate	55% of insurable earnings
Maximum insurable earnings	$65,700/year
Maximum weekly benefit	~$695/week
Waiting period	1 week
Minimum hours to qualify	420–700 (varies by region)
Benefit duration	14–45 weeks

How regional unemployment affects your claim

The unemployment rate in your Economic Region determines both your qualifying hours and benefit duration.

Regional Unemployment Rate	Hours Required	Best Weeks Used	Max Duration
6% and under	700	22	36 weeks
6.1% – 7%	665	21	37 weeks
7.1% – 8%	630	20	38 weeks
8.1% – 9%	595	19	39 weeks
9.1% – 10%	560	18	40 weeks
10.1% – 11%	525	17	42 weeks
11.1% – 12%	490	16	43 weeks
12.1% – 13%	455	15	44 weeks
Over 13%	420	14	45 weeks

Living in a higher-unemployment region means easier qualification and longer benefit periods.

Types of EI benefits

Regular benefits

For people who lost their job through no fault of their own (layoff, shortage of work, seasonal employment, mass layoff). Duration depends on hours and regional unemployment rate.

Sickness benefits

Up to 26 weeks for illness, injury, or quarantine. Requires a medical certificate. Requires 600 hours regardless of region.

Compassionate care benefits

Up to 26 weeks to care for a family member with a serious illness and significant risk of death. Can be shared among family members.

Family caregiver benefits

Children: Up to 35 weeks to care for a critically ill or injured child under 18
Adults: Up to 15 weeks to care for a critically ill or injured adult family member

EI clawback: high income repayment

If your net income exceeds $79,000 in the tax year you receive benefits, you must repay 30% of the lesser of:

Net income above $79,000, or
Total regular EI benefits received

Example: You earned $90,000 total (including EI). You received $15,000 in EI benefits. The clawback is 30% × $11,000 (amount over $79,000) = $3,300.

First-time claimants are exempt from the clawback.

Working while on EI

You can earn income while collecting EI:

Your Earnings	EI Deduction	Net Impact
Up to 50% of weekly benefit	50 cents per dollar earned	Net gain
50% of benefit to 90% of previous earnings	50 cents per dollar earned	Net gain
Above 90% of previous weekly earnings	Dollar-for-dollar	No net gain

Example: Your weekly benefit is $500. You earn $200 working part-time. Your EI is reduced by $100 (50% of $200), so you receive $400 in EI + $200 in earnings = $600 total, versus $500 on EI alone.

How to apply for EI

Get your Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer — they must issue it within 5 days of your last day
Apply online at canada.ca/ei within 4 weeks of your last working day
Complete the waiting period — 1 week unpaid
File biweekly reports — Report any earnings and job search activity every two weeks
Continue looking for work — You must be actively seeking employment and available to work

Maternity Leave Calculator — Calculate maternity and parental EI benefits
Salary Calculator — Calculate your regular take-home pay
Income Tax Calculator — Estimate tax on EI benefits received
Budget Calculator — Plan a reduced-income budget while on EI
Emergency Fund Calculator — Determine if your savings cover an EI gap
Savings Goal Calculator — Save for potential job gaps