Employment Insurance (EI) - Regular Benefits
About This Program
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.
Am I Eligible?
To qualify for this program, you generally need to meet all of the following requirements:
- Your employment status must be unemployed
- You must have accumulated EI insurable hours
- Your EI insurable hours must be 420 or more
- Your citizenship status must be one of: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident
How Much Could You Receive?
Benefits are reduced once your income exceeds this amount
If your net income exceeds $75,375, you must repay 30% of the lesser of your net income in excess of $75,375, or total regular benefits paid in the taxation year.
Based on best weeks of earnings in the qualifying period. Maximum insurable earnings for 2024 is $63,200.
Number of benefit weeks varies from 14 to 45 based on insurable hours and the unemployment rate in your economic region
How to Apply
Applications for this program are handled directly by the Government of Canada. Visit the official program page for application forms, required documents, and processing times.
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Employment Insurance (EI) - Parental Benefits
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