Employment Insurance pays up to $795/week in 2026 — but the exact amount you receive depends on your earnings history and your region. Here is everything you need to know about the maximum and how the benefit is calculated; for claim setup steps, see the first-time EI guide, and for clawback rules see how much can I earn on EI before repaying.
2026 EI Maximum Benefit at a Glance
| Figure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum insurable earnings (MIE) | $65,700/year |
| Benefit rate | 55% |
| Maximum weekly EI benefit | $795/week |
| Maximum bi-weekly payment | $1,590 |
| Maximum monthly (approx.) | ~$3,445 |
How EI Is Calculated (Step by Step)
EI is not simply 55% of your last paycheque — it uses an averaging process.
Step 1: Determine the Divisor
Your benefit is calculated based on your best weeks of earnings. The divisor (number of weeks used in the average) depends on your region’s unemployment rate:
| Regional Unemployment Rate | Divisor (Weeks in Average) |
|---|---|
| 6% and under | 22 weeks |
| 6.1%–7% | 21 weeks |
| 7.1%–8% | 20 weeks |
| 8.1%–9% | 19 weeks |
| 9.1%–10% | 18 weeks |
| 10.1%–11% | 17 weeks |
| 11.1%–12% | 16 weeks |
| 12.1%–13% | 15 weeks |
| Over 13% | 14 weeks |
Regions with higher unemployment use fewer weeks in the average — which helps workers in economically weaker areas.
Step 2: Calculate Your Average Weekly Insurable Earnings
Take your highest-earning weeks (equal to the divisor) from the past 52 weeks and divide by the divisor.
Example (region with 8% unemployment, divisor = 19 weeks):
- Your best 19 weeks of earnings total $38,000
- Average weekly insurable earnings = $38,000 ÷ 19 = $2,000/week
Step 3: Apply the 55% Rate
$2,000 × 55% = $1,100/week
But since the maximum is $795/week, your benefit is capped at $795.
Step 4: Apply the Low-Income Supplement (if applicable)
If your net family income is under $26,886 and you have children, your rate increases to as high as 80% of weekly earnings.
EI Benefit Estimates by Salary
| Annual Salary | Weekly Earnings | EI Benefit (55%) |
|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $577 | $317/week |
| $40,000 | $769 | $423/week |
| $50,000 | $962 | $529/week |
| $55,000 | $1,058 | $582/week |
| $60,000 | $1,154 | $635/week |
| $65,700+ | $1,263+ | $795/week (max) |
2026 EI Contribution Rates
| Figure | Employee | Employer |
|---|---|---|
| Premium rate per $100 of insurable earnings | $1.64 | $2.30 (1.4× employee) |
| Maximum annual contribution | $1,077.48 | $1,508.47 |
| Maximum insurable earnings | $65,700 | — |
EI premiums apply to every dollar of insurable earnings up to the $65,700 maximum. Earnings above this are EI-premium-free.
How Long Does EI Last?
The number of weeks of benefits depends on your region and insurable hours worked:
| Hours Worked in Past 52 Weeks | Benefit Weeks (at 6% unemployment) | Benefit Weeks (at 13%+ unemployment) |
|---|---|---|
| 420–454 | Not eligible at 6% (need 700) | 14 weeks |
| 700+ | 14 weeks | 35–45 weeks |
| 840+ | 17–20 weeks | 40–45 weeks |
| 1,820+ | 36–40 weeks | 45 weeks |
Maximum weeks available: 45 weeks (in high-unemployment regions with many hours worked).
Types of EI Benefits and Their Maximums
| EI Benefit Type | Weekly Maximum | Maximum Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Regular (job loss) | $795/week | 14–45 weeks |
| Sickness | $795/week | 26 weeks |
| Maternity | $795/week | 15 weeks |
| Parental (standard) | $795/week | 35 weeks |
| Parental (extended) | $477/week (33%) | 61 weeks |
| Compassionate care | $795/week | 26 weeks |
| Family caregiver — adult | $795/week | 15 weeks |
| Family caregiver — child | $795/week | 35 weeks |
The 1-Week Waiting Period
All EI claims include a 1-week waiting period — the first week of your claim is unpaid. This applies once per claim period. You must still submit your claimant report for the waiting period week.
EI While Working (Earnings Allowance)
If you find part-time work while on EI, you keep 50 cents of EI for every dollar earned — up to 90% of your previous weekly insurable earnings. Beyond that threshold, EI is reduced dollar-for-dollar.
| Weekly Earnings While on EI | Impact on Benefit |
|---|---|
| Under 90% of prior weekly earnings | Keep $0.50 of EI per $1 earned |
| Over 90% of prior weekly earnings | $1 reduction per $1 earned |
Quebec workers: QPIP vs EI
Quebec residents do not contribute to federal EI maternity or parental benefits — they pay into the provincial Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) instead:
| Feature | Federal EI (other provinces) | QPIP (Quebec) |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity benefit rate | 55% (15 weeks) | 70% (18 weeks) or 75% (5 weeks) |
| Parental benefit rate | 55% (35 wks) or 33% (61 wks) | 70% (32 wks) or 55% (25 wks) |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $795 | Based on QPIP maximums |
| Administered by | Service Canada | Revenu Québec / RQAP |
| Paternity-specific weeks | No | Yes — 5 weeks reserved for the other parent |
Quebec workers generally receive more generous parental coverage through QPIP than federal EI. For maximum weekly amounts and rates, see the QPIP guide.