More information about Employment Insurance (EI)
Do you have a question about the EI program? The frequently asked questions might help!
Who is eligible?
Qualifying period
Maybe your old EI claim just needs to be reactivated
How, where and when to apply
What information/documents are needed to apply?
Number of hours of work required to qualify
Labour force attachment period
When will you receive your first payment?
A 2-week waiting period to serve
How long can regular benefits be paid?
In order to get paid...
You wish to get information about your EI insurance claim
How much will you receive?
How we calculate the amount you will receive
Calculation of the weekly benefit rate based on the best 14 weeks
Working while on EI
Taking courses or training programs
Various types of earnings
Quitting your job
Being fired for misconduct
Corporate downsizing
Labour disputes
EI Premiums
Repayment of benefits at income tax time
Regular benefits while temporarily absent of Canada
Your rights and responsibilities
Appealing a decision
Looking for work
Regular benefits can be paid if you lose your job through no fault of your own, for example, due to shortage of work, seasonal or mass lay-offs and you are available for and able to work but you can’t find a job.
To be eligible for regular benefits you must show that:
If you voluntarily quit your job without just cause or if you are fired due to your own misconduct, you will not be paid regular benefits. To know more on quitting your job or being fired for misconduct...
The qualifying period is the shorter of :
Only the insurable hours that fall within the qualifying period are used to start a benefit period. However, the qualifying period may be extended up to 104 weeks if you were not employed in insurable employment and not receiving EI because you were:
If one of these reasons applies to you, it is your responsibility to request the extension of your qualifying period and to provide all supporting documents.
If you filed a claim for benefits within the last 52 weeks, you may be able to reactivate this claim. To reactivate your claim, please submit an application on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere you have Internet access, or during business hours at your Service Canada Centre.
However, in certain situations it may be to your advantage to cancel or end your old claim and start a new one instead. If you are interested in doing so, please contact us within 30 days. To know more on the duration of a benefit period...
To receive regular benefits you must submit an EI application on-line or in person at your Service Canada Centre, even if you receive or will receive money when you become unemployed.
You must request your Record of Employment (ROE) from your last employer. If you have your ROE from your last employer, apply immediately. If you did not receive your last ROE within 14 days of your last day of work, submit your application as soon as the 14 days are over, along with proof of employment, for example, pay stubs. If one or more ROE covering periods prior to your last employment are missing, you must still submit your claim for benefits.
If getting your ROE is a problem, your Service Canada Centre can help you. You will have to fill out a form "Request for Record of Employment" explaining what efforts you have made to obtain it. You will have to provide proof of your employment —such as: pay stubs, cancelled pay cheques, T4 slip, work schedules. If possible, we will use the proof to calculate your claim.
Delaying in filing your claim for benefits beyond 4 weeks after your last day of work may cause loss of benefits.
Most people will need between 420 and 700 insurable hours of work in their qualifying period to qualify, depending on the unemployment rate in their region at the time of filing their claim for benefits. To find out this number...
In some instances, a minimum of 910 hours in the qualifying period may be needed to qualify. For examples :
Particular situations: Effective December 11, 2005, if you are living in one of the 23 participating economic regions, you could qualify for regular benefits with a minimum of 840 hours instead of 910 hours. To know more...
When you show that you have at least 490 hours related to employment in the labour force during the labour force attachment period you will need between 420 and 700 insurable hours to qualify for regular benefits. Otherwise, you will need a minimum of 910 hours to qualify regular benefits. See examples 1 and 2...
The labour force attachment period is the 52-week period preceding immediately the qualifying period. In calculating the number of hours during which a person was a member of the labour force, we take into account :
You submitted a claim for benefits on December 18, 2006. You have no previous violations. At the time of filing your claim, the unemployment rate is 6,8% and 665 insurable hours are required to qualify for regular benefits. During the qualifying period, from December 18, 2005 to December 16, 2006, you accumulated 810 insurable hours. During the labour force attachment period, from December 19, 2004 to December 17, 2005, you accumulated 520 hours related to employment activities of the labour force: 310 insurable hours + 210 hours of worker's compensation. Note: 6 weeks X 35 hours = 210 hours of labour force activities related to worker's compensation. As you show that you have at least 490 hours related to employment in the labour force during the labour force attachment period, you qualify for regular benefits. In this example, you needed 665 insurable hours and you have accumulated 810 insurable hours during the qualifying period. |
Example 2 You submitted a claim for benefits on December 18, 2006. You have no previous violations. You are in the work force for the first time. During the qualifying period, from December 18, 2005 to December 16, 2006, you accumulated 778 insurable hours. During the labour force attachment period, from December 19, 2004 to December 17, 2005, you did not work, nor receive any EI benefits and you have no hours related to employment activities of the labour force. As you do not show that you have at least 490 hours related to employment in the labour force during the labour force attachment period, you need a minimum of 910 insurable hours to qualify for regular benefits. However, you could qualify for maternity, parental and/or sickness benefits... |
Regional rate of unemployment | Required number of hours of insurable employment in the last 52 weeks |
---|---|
0% to 6% |
700 hours |
6.1% to 7% |
665 hours |
7.1% to 8% |
630 hours |
8.1% to 9% |
595 hours |
9.1% to 10% |
560 hours |
10.1% to 11% |
525 hours |
11.1% to 12% |
490 hours |
12.1% to 13% |
455 hours |
13.1% and over |
420 hours |
If we have all the required information and if you can be paid benefits, your payment will be issued usually within 28 days from the date we receive your application. If you cannot be paid benefits, we will notify you of the decision made on your claim.
You must serve a 2-week unpaid waiting period before your EI benefits begin to be paid. Generally, this period is the first 2 weeks of your claim. This is like a deductible for any kind of insurance. On the other hand, if you reopen a claim for benefits in which you have already served a 2-week waiting period, you do not serve another 2-week waiting period.
Earnings made, for example, vacation pay, severance pay or allocated during the 2-week waiting period will be deducted in the first 3 weeks for which benefit is otherwise payable following the waiting period. See example 1... These weeks do not need to be consecutive nor to follow immediately the waiting period. Once these 3 weeks payable have passed, if some earnings from waiting period still remain, they will just be ignored. See example 2...
Earnings allocated to any week of the waiting period result in a dollar for dollar deduction equal to your weekly benefit rate. This means that the maximum deduction for the 2-week waiting period is twice your weekly benefit rate.
Each working day for which you are not entitled to benefits that fall within the 2-week waiting period is calculated at 1/5 of your weekly benefit rate, as earnings to be deducted in the first 3 weeks during which benefits become payable. For example, your weekly benefit rate is $250 and in the first week of your waiting period you are not entitled to benefits for 2 days. We calculate 2/5 of $250.00 or — $250 ÷ 5 x 2 = $100.00 — as earnings during the waiting period. A combination of earnings and days for which you are not entitled to benefits, that falls within the waiting period, can be deducted at the same time. See example 3...
Example 2 – Remaining earnings ignored after the first 3 weeks payable Claim starts on January 1, 2006 The total amount to be deducted as earnings from the waiting period is $745, thus $395 + $350 The 1st week payable is January 15, 2006: The 2nd week payable is January 22, 2006: The 3rd week payable is January 29, 2006: The 4th week payable is February 5, 2006: Payment for the week of February 5, 2006 is $400. |
Example 3 – Combination of earnings and days not entitled to benefits
Claim starts January 1, 2006 The total amount to be deducted as earnings from the waiting period is $375, meaning $195 + $180 The 1st week payable is January 15, 2006, only $300 is deducted since the deduction cannot exceed the weekly benefit rate The remaining earnings of $75 is deducted in the 2nd week payable of January 22, 2006 Payment for the week of January 22, 2006 is $225, meaning $300 - $75. |
Regular benefits can be paid from 14 to a maximum of 45 weeks. The number of weeks of benefits which may be paid are determined at the start date of the benefit period, based on the unemployment rate in your region and the amount of insurable hours you have accumulated in the qualifying period.
Please note that the number of weeks of benefits which may be paid does not change even if you move in another region after the start date of your claim.
Please note that a pilot project on increased weeks of EI beneifits is available. To find out if the pilot project applies to you...
The period of time in which you can claim the weeks you are eligible is 52 weeks. This period ends when the first of the followings occurs :
The duration of the benefit period may be extended up to 104 weeks, but the number of weeks of benefits which may be paid will remain unchanged. Therefore, the benefit period may be extended if you were not paid EI benefits during a benefit period because you were :
If one of these reasons applies to you, it is your responsibility to request the extension of your benefit period and to provide all supporting documents.
In order to get paid you must complete a report by Internet, telephone or mail every 2 weeks. These report are very important as regular payments cannot be issued without them.
Shortly after applying for EI, you will receive a Benefit statement in the mail indicating your Access code and the date your first claimant's report is due. Keep in mind that this does not mean that a decision has been made yet on your claim.
Along with your Benefit statement you will also receive instructions on how to complete your report with our Internet reporting service or our Telephone reporting service. If you cannot complete your claimant's reports by Internet or by telephone, you will need to complete and mail them to us. To find out how to complete your report by mail, just follow these step-by-step instructions.
If you have a current or previous claim for EI benefits, you can with our Internet service My Employment Insurance (EI) Information on-line:
Please note, if your bank account information changes or if you move, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible. You can update your mailing address, telephone number and direct deposit information by using My Employment Insurance (EI) Information on-line.
You can also obtain information about your EI claim by calling our Telephone Information Service 1 800 206-7218 and choosing Option 1.
The basic benefit rate is 55% of your average insured earnings up to a yearly maximum insurable amount of $40,000. This means you can receive a maximum payment of $423 per week. Your EI payment is a taxable income, meaning federal and provincial or territorial, if it applies, taxes will be deducted.
You could receive a higher benefit rate if you are in a low-income family — net income up to a maximum of $25,921 per year — with children and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) . You are then entitled to the Family Supplement.
Effective October 30, 2005, if you are living in one of the 23 participating economic regions you may take advantage of a new method of calculation of your weekly benefit rate. This new method of calculation is based on the best 14 weeks of insurable earnings over the last 52 weeks of work. To know more...
If you are not living in one of the 23 participating economic regions, the amount of your weekly benefit payment depends on your total earnings before deductions including tips and commissions, in the last 26 weeks, and is calculated in the following manner:
Unemployment rate in your region | Minimum divisor |
---|---|
0% to 6% |
22 |
6.1% to 7% |
21 |
7.1% to 8% |
20 |
8.1% to 9% |
19 |
9.1% to 10% |
18 |
10.1% to 11% |
17 |
11.1% to 12% |
16 |
12.1% to 13% |
15 |
13.1% and over |
14 |
Example A In the last 26 weeks you worked for 26 weeks and earned a total of $10,400. You live in an area where the unemployment rate is 13.1%; so the divisor is 14. To determine your average weekly earnings, we calculate $10,400 ÷ 26 = $400. We use the number of weeks worked as it is greater than the divisor. To determine your weekly benefit rate, we calculate 55% of $400 = $220. |
Example B In the last 26 weeks you worked for 12 weeks and earned a total of $3,600. You live in an area where the unemployment rate is 13.1%; so the divisor is 14. To determine your average weekly earnings, we calculate $3,600 ÷ 14 = $257. We use the minimum divisor as it is greater than the number of weeks worked. To determine your weekly benefit rate, we calculate 55% of $257 = $141. |
Example C In the last 26 weeks you worked for 17 weeks and earned a total of $5,100. You live in an area where the unemployment rate is 11.5%; so the divisor is 16. To determine your average weekly earnings, we calculate $5,100 ÷ 17 = $300. We use the number of weeks worked as it is greater than the divisor. To determine your weekly benefit rate, we calculate 55% of $300 = $165. |
Particular situations...
If you have earned less than $225 a week, small weeks, any time during the last 26 weeks of work, it may be possible for us, under certain conditions, to exclude earnings from small weeks in the calculation of your benefit rate. To find out how the exclusion of small weeks works...
You can't work full time and receive EI benefits. However, you can work part-time while you are receiving regular benefits. You can earn $50 per week or 25% of your weekly benefits, whichever is higher. Any monies earned above that amount will be deducted dollar for dollar from your benefits.
However, effective December 11, 2005, if you are living in one of the 23 participating economic regions, the amount you can earn while working part-time and receiving EI benefits is the greater of $75 or 40 % of weekly benefits. To know more...
You must report any earnings you make while collecting regular benefits.
Tip: Use the reporting calendar — PDF 11 kb — to keep track of your earnings and hours worked. About PDF Files.
Earnings paid or payable by your employer at the end of your employment or while you are receiving benefits, generally affect payment of your benefits. To know more...
If you voluntarily quit your job without just cause, you will not be paid regular benefits. After quitting a job, you must work the minimum number of insurable hours required to get regular benefits. However, you may still be paid maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits as long as you qualify for these benefits. To know more...
If you are fired due to your own misconduct, you will not be paid regular benefits. After being fired for misconduct, you must work the minimum number of insurable hours required to get regular benefits. However, you may still be paid maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits as long as you qualify for these benefits. To know more...
When enterprises reduce permanently the size of their work force, EI will help them and their employees get through the process. If your employer is downsizing and offers you the opportunity to quit your job in order to protect another person’s job, you can leave your job without penalty. However, the company must show that the layoff is permanent and that your departure protects another person’s job.
When faced with downsizing it is best to first consult with an EI officer to ensure that all conditions which might affect you, are considered. Do not take anything for granted. To know more on work force reduction measures…
If a strike, a lockout or other form of labour dispute where you work causes you to lose your job or prevents you from going to work, you will generally not be paid EI benefits. The following conditions apply whether you are a union member or not and whether your job is part or full-time.
You may, however, be eligible to receive benefits if:
If you are taking part in a labour dispute, you are not eligible for EI until :
the strike or lockout is over; or
you have found another regular job where you pay EI premiums.
If you had already arranged for an approved absence from work before the work stoppage started, such as sick leave, maternity leave, parental leave or authorized training, you may still be paid EI benefits.
As of January 1st, 2007 you must pay EI premiums on all your earnings up to the annual maximum salary of $40,000. The EI premium rate is set to $1.80 for every $100 of salary until $40,000 has been reached. The maximum contribution amount will be $720.00.
As for Quebec residents, the EI premium rate is set to $1.46 for every $100 of salary until $40,000 has been reached. The maximum contribution amount will be $584.00 for these individuals. To know more…
There is no age limit for deducting EI premiums. In fact, if you are working in insurable employment, your employer deducts from you salary the applicable EI premiums, whatever your age. To know more on payroll deductions...
To know more about EI premiums for 2006…
Under most circumstances you are not allowed to receive regular benefits for any period in which you are not in Canada. However, you can receive regular benefits provided that you are available for work in Canada and that you inform your Service Canada Centre of your temporary absence in the following situations :
Immediate family: Father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, foster parent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, spouse, your child or the child of your spouse, father-in-law, mother-in-law, a dependant or a relative residing in your household or a relative with whom you permanently live with.
A close relative: A grandparent, grandchild, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew.
Your spouse: Person you are married to or common law partner of more than one year or less where children are present.
It is very important for you to know about your rights and responsibilities...
If you disagree with an EI related decision you have the right to appeal. Information on how to file and prepare for an appeal can be found at Serving Employment Insurance Appellants...
While claiming regular benefits you must be actively looking for work...