Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) program is a cornerstone of the country’s social safety net. EI benefits provide financial help to individuals who are experiencing a loss of income for one reason or another. Most often, this is job loss, including situations such as a shortage of work, or seasonal or mass lay-offs. To be eligible for these benefits, individuals must be available for and able to work but unable to find a job.
Beyond providing direct income support, the EI program effectively functions as an economic stabilizer, particularly during economic downturns. It also plays a role in helping businesses prevent lay-offs and provides employment assistance and retraining for workers.
Types of EI Benefits
There are a few types of EI benefits, each with its own guidelines in regards to eligibility and how much support they offer.
Regular benefits
This is the most common form of EI. This is for those individuals who lose their jobs due to no fault of their own.
Eligibility:
- Must have worked the required number of insurable hours for their area
- Must be willing and able to work while receiving benefits
- Must have been paying into the EI program through regular deductions
Coverage: Those eligible can receive up to $695 a week for up to 45 weeks. The amount of coverage you receive depends on your income and the area you live in.
Sickness benefits
This is for those who cannot work due to medical reasons.
Eligibility: Requires a certificate verifying that you can’t work for medical reasons
Coverage: Up to $695 per week for 26 weeks.
Maternity and parental benefits
This is for those who are pregnant or have recently had or adopted a baby.
Maternity EI is solely for those who have recently given birth. You can receive up to $695 for up to 15 weeks.
Paternal EI is available to any new parents of a biological or adopted baby. There are two options: a standard and an extended. These benefits can be shared between parents. The amount and length of benefit depend on which option you choose and whether it’s split between parents. The amount ranges between $417 and $695 a week. The number of weeks ranges from 52 to 78 weeks.
Caregiver benefits
This is for those taking time off work to care for someone who is critically ill or injured. These benefits can be shared between caregivers.
There are three types of Caregiver benefits:
- Family caregiver benefits for children
- Family caregiver benefits for adults
- Compassionate care benefits
Eligibility:
- The caregiver must have worked a minimum of 600 insurable hours.
- A medical practitioner must verify that caregiving is required.
- Proof that income decreased by 40% for at least a week.
Coverage: Depending on the type of benefit you are applying for, you can get up to $695 a week for between 15 and 35 weeks.
Applying for EI benefits
Applying for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits is a straightforward process. You can apply online by visiting the Government of Canada EI website. It is crucial to apply as soon as you stop working. As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit a Record of Employment (ROE). Your employer will provide that to you. That being said, you can initiate your application even if you have not yet received your ROE. It’s important not to delay, as you may lose benefits if you delay filing your claim for more than 4 weeks after your last day of work.
Temporary EI measures
In response to the economic uncertainty we’re facing right now, the Government of Canada announced new temporary EI measures. This highlights the government’s intention to support workers in navigating the uncertain economic climate. These measures were introduced on March 22, 2025 and will be in place until October 2025. These temporary measures include:
Boosting regional unemployment rates
The government will artificially boost the regional unemployment rates used to determine access to and duration of EI benefits. All regions are now boosted by one percentage point, ensuring no region sees a rate of less than 7.1%. This temporary change reduces the hours required to qualify for regular benefits to no more than 630 hours and adds up to four additional weeks of entitlement.
Suspending rules for separation monies
Claimants will be able to receive EI benefits sooner by suspending rules around severance, vacation, and other monies received upon separation from employment. This means these funds will not need to be used up before EI benefits can begin.
Waiving the waiting period
The usual waiting period for EI benefits will be waived, allowing workers to receive benefits for the first week of unemployment. This helps unemployed workers adjust more easily to a drop in income and applies to all claimant types (regular, special, and fishing).
EI Work-Sharing Program
This program helps employers avoid layoffs by providing income support to employees who agree to a temporarily reduced work week. The recent changes expand eligibility to businesses operating in Canada for at least a year, including non-profit and charitable organizations, and cyclical or seasonal employers. The maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreements has also been extended significantly, from 38 weeks to 76 weeks, and the cooling-off period between agreements can be waived while special measures are in place.
Tips for while on EI Benefits
- Adjust your budget to live within your new income level.
- Carefully consider your healthcare options.
- Look into whether your creditors, like your mortgage lender, offer a deferral option. If so, consider using it, but save the deferral money instead or using it. Ideally, you will start work again and can use the money to catch up on payments.
- Consider upgrading your skills while you’re not working.
- Don’t forget to take time to do things you enjoy.
- EI benefits are taxable. Don’t forget to put money aside for tax time.
Wrap up
As Canadians, we are fortunate to have EI benefits to fall back on in times of need. That being said, it’s important to keep up to date on what’s happening with the program so you can be sufficiently prepared should something happen. This is especially true for times of economic uncertainty, such as the one we’re in right now.
