Employment Insurance (EI) - Sickness Benefits
About This Program
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.
Am I Eligible?
To qualify for this program, you generally need to meet all of the following requirements:
- You must have accumulated EI insurable hours
- Your EI insurable hours must be 600 or more
- Your citizenship status must be one of: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident
How Much Could You Receive?
Based on your average insurable weekly earnings up to the maximum insurable amount
Extended from 15 to 26 weeks as of December 18, 2022
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) - 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) - 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.