Canadian Employment Insurance Programs
3 programs available
Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary financial assistance to Canadians who have lost their job, are sick, or are caring for a new child or critically ill family member.
Employment Insurance (EI) - Regular Benefits
EI regular benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own (e.g., due to shortage of work, seasonal layoffs, or mass layoffs) while they look for work or upgrade their skills. To qualify, you must have accumulated enough insurable employment hours in the qualifying period. The number of hours required varies by regional unemployment rate, ranging from 420 to 700 hours. Benefits are paid at 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum.
Employment Insurance (EI) - Sickness Benefits
EI sickness benefits provide up to 26 weeks of financial assistance to eligible workers who are unable to work because of illness, injury, or quarantine. You need a medical certificate to support your claim. You must have accumulated at least 600 insurable hours in the qualifying period (the shorter of the 52-week period before your claim or since your last claim). Benefits are calculated at 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings.
Employment Insurance (EI) - Parental Benefits
EI parental benefits are available to parents caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. Both biological and adoptive parents can share parental benefits. There are two options: standard parental benefits provide 55% of earnings for up to 40 weeks (maximum 35 weeks for one parent), and extended parental benefits provide 33% of earnings for up to 69 weeks (maximum 61 weeks for one parent). You must choose one option and it cannot be changed once selected.
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