EI benefits in Canada (2026): how much you get, how many hours you need, and how long it lasts
Losing a job is stressful enough without guessing what EI will actually pay. Here is how Service Canada works out your weekly amount and the number of weeks, what the temporary 2025 to 2027 measures change, and a calculator that runs your own numbers, including what happens if you pick up a few shifts while on claim.
On this page
EI benefits calculator
What could EI regular benefits pay you?
Uses Service Canada's 2026 tables: 55% rate, $729 weekly maximum, hours and weeks by regional unemployment rate. Find your region's rate with Service Canada's postal code lookup. Assumes no prior EI violations and no family supplement. EI is taxable, so taxes are deducted from payments. Estimates only; Service Canada decides your claim.
How the weekly amount is worked out
For most people, the basic rate is 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum. Service Canada says that as of January 1, 2026 the maximum yearly insurable earnings are $68,900, which means a maximum of $729 a week. Insurable earnings include most pay from a job, such as wages, tips, bonuses and commissions.
It does not simply average your whole year. Service Canada takes your best weeks (the weeks you earned the most) over the qualifying period, and the number of best weeks depends on unemployment where you live:
| Regional unemployment rate | Best weeks used |
|---|---|
| 6% or less | 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% or more | 14 |
The formula is: total insurable earnings in your best weeks, divided by the number of best weeks, times 55%. Once the weekly rate is set, it stays the same for the life of the claim. If your net family income is $25,921 or less, you have children and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Benefit, the EI family supplement can raise your rate up to 80% of your average insurable earnings.
Quick check on the maximum: $68,900 ÷ 52 = $1,325 a week, and $1,325 × 55% = $728.75, which Service Canada shows as $729. Earning more than $68,900 does not raise your benefit.
Hours you need by region
To qualify for regular benefits you must have lost your job through no fault of your own, been without work and pay for at least 7 days in a row, be ready and able to work each day, be actively looking for work, and have enough insurable hours in your qualifying period. That period is the shorter of the last 52 weeks or the time since your last claim started.
| Regional unemployment rate | Hours needed (no prior violation) |
|---|---|
| 6% and under | 700 |
| 6.1% to 7% | 665 |
| 7.1% to 8% | 630 |
| 8.1% to 9% | 595 |
| 9.1% to 10% | 560 |
| 10.1% to 11% | 525 |
| 11.1% to 12% | 490 |
| 12.1% to 13% | 455 |
| More than 13% | 420 |
A full-time job at 35 hours a week reaches 700 hours in 20 weeks. If you received a notice of violation on an earlier claim, you need more hours. Regions change their rate regularly, so use the postal code lookup linked in the sources on the day you apply.
You may not qualify if you quit without just cause, were let go for misconduct, or are directly part of a labour dispute. Self-employed people do not get regular benefits; Service Canada has a separate opt-in program for self-employed workers that covers special benefits such as sickness and parental leave.
How many weeks you get
Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks, based on two things: your insurable hours and your regional unemployment rate when you file. A few points from Service Canada's table:
| Insurable hours | 6% and less | 9.1% to 10% | 13.1% to 14% | 16% and more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 420 to 454 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 32 |
| 700 to 734 | 14 | 22 | 30 | 36 |
| 1,050 to 1,084 | 19 | 27 | 35 | 41 |
| 1,400 to 1,434 | 24 | 32 | 40 | 45 |
| 1,820 and more | 36 | 44 | 45 | 45 |
Moving to another region after your benefit period starts does not change your weeks. The calculator above uses the full table.
Temporary measures until 2027
Service Canada has temporary measures in place in response to major changes in economic conditions. As of its October 2026 update:
- No waiting week. Normally the first week of a claim is unpaid. The waiting period is waived for new claims that start between March 30, 2025 and October 9, 2027.
- Separation pay not deducted. Vacation pay, pay in lieu of notice and severance are normally allocated against your benefits. For claims or allocations that start between March 30, 2025 and October 9, 2027, they are not deducted.
- Only the latest separation reviewed. For claims starting between October 11, 2026 and October 9, 2027, only your most recent reason for leaving a job is reviewed. If you lost your most recent job through no fault of your own, all your hours in the qualifying period count.
- 20 extra weeks for long-tenured workers, up to 65 weeks in total, for claims starting between June 15, 2025 and June 12, 2027. You must have received fewer than 36 weeks of regular or fishing benefits in the 3 years before the claim, and paid at least 30% of the annual maximum EI premiums in at least 7 of the 10 years before the year your claim starts. The weeks are added automatically.
These dates can change, so check the temporary measures page before you count on them.
Worked example
Priya worked full time for a year at $52,000 ($1,000 a week, 35 hours a week, so 1,820 insurable hours). She is laid off, and her region's unemployment rate is under 6%.
| Step | Arithmetic | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly benefit | $1,000 × 55% | $550 (under the $729 cap) |
| Hours check | 1,820 vs 700 needed | Qualifies |
| Weeks payable | 1,820 hours at 6% and less | 36 weeks |
| Total before tax | $550 × 36 | $19,800 |
Because her claim starts before October 9, 2027, there is no unpaid waiting week. If she is also a long-tenured worker, the temporary measure adds 20 weeks: 56 weeks, or $30,800 before tax. In a region at 9.1% to 10%, the same hours would give 44 weeks. Tax is deducted from each payment, so the deposit will be lower.
Working while on EI
You can work part time and keep some of your benefit. Service Canada says that once you have served your waiting period (or it was waived), you keep 50 cents of benefit for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of the weekly insurable earnings used to set your benefit. Above that, earnings are deducted dollar for dollar.
For Priya: her weekly earnings were $1,000, so 90% is $900. If she earns $400 in a week, Service Canada deducts half, $200, and pays $350. Her total that week is $400 + $350 = $750, more than the $550 she would get from EI alone. If she earns $1,000 in a week, the deduction is 50% of $900 plus all of the last $100, $550, so no benefit is paid that week.
Report gross earnings, before deductions, for the week the work happened, not the week you were paid. Estimating or reporting net pay are among the common mistakes Service Canada lists, and an overpayment becomes a debt you repay.
How to apply and what you need
Apply online as soon as you stop working. If you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. You can send documents after you apply. Have ready:
- Your social insurance number (if it starts with 9, proof of immigration status and work permit)
- The last name at birth of one of your parents, and your mailing and home addresses with postal codes
- Your bank's institution, transit and account numbers for direct deposit
- Employer names, addresses, dates and the reason you left each job in the last 52 weeks
Your employers send records of employment (ROEs) to Service Canada. The online application takes about an hour and is saved for 72 hours. Service Canada aims to issue the first payment within 28 days of receiving a complete application if you are eligible. After that you file a report every 2 weeks, and direct deposit lands 2 business days after your report is processed. Keep a written record of employers you contact; Service Canada says to keep your job search record for 6 years.
Travelling? Regular benefits generally stop while you are outside Canada, with short exceptions such as 7 days for a close relative's funeral or 14 days for a job search, and you must report the trip.
Options while you wait
| Option | What it does | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Apply right away | Protects your claim even before ROEs arrive | Applying after 4 weeks can cost benefits |
| Use your emergency fund | Covers the gap to the first deposit | Keep it in an account you can reach the same day |
| Pause or trim fixed costs | Lowers the monthly amount EI has to cover | Cancel pre-authorized debits in writing |
| Part-time work on claim | Raises total weekly income | Report gross earnings each week |
A benefit of 55% of pay usually means a budget cut of almost half. Our emergency fund guide shows how many weeks of cushion helps, how to make a budget walks through cutting fixed costs fast, and cancelling a pre-authorized debit covers your rights when a bill comes out of your account. To see what EI premiums cost you while working, see first paycheque deductions. More calculators are on the tools page.
How to apply for EI regular benefits
- Look up your EI region and its unemployment rate with Service Canada's postal code tool.
- Count your insurable hours in the last 52 weeks from your pay stubs.
- Apply online within 4 weeks of your last day of work, with your SIN, address, banking and employment details.
- Ask each employer to issue your record of employment (ROE), and send any other documents after you apply.
- Watch for your access code by mail, then file your EI report every 2 weeks.
- Report gross earnings from any work in the week you did it, and keep a record of your job search.
Questions people ask
How much does EI pay in 2026?
Most people get 55% of their average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week. The maximum comes from yearly insurable earnings of $68,900 for 2026.
How many hours do I need to qualify for EI?
Between 420 and 700 insurable hours in your qualifying period, depending on the unemployment rate in your EI region. In regions at 6% or under you need 700 hours; above 13% you need 420.
How long does EI last?
From 14 to 45 weeks, depending on your insurable hours and your regional unemployment rate when you file. Long-tenured workers with claims starting between June 15, 2025 and June 12, 2027 may get 20 extra weeks, up to 65.
Is there a waiting period for EI in 2026?
Not for most new claims right now. Service Canada has waived the one-week waiting period for claims that start between March 30, 2025 and October 9, 2027.
Can I get EI if I quit my job?
Usually not if you left without just cause. Under a temporary measure for claims starting between October 11, 2026 and October 9, 2027, only your most recent reason for separation is reviewed.
Can I work part time while on EI?
Yes. You keep 50 cents of benefit for every dollar earned, up to 90% of the weekly insurable earnings used for your benefit; anything above that is deducted dollar for dollar. Report gross earnings each week.
Is EI taxable?
Yes. EI benefits are taxable, and federal and provincial or territorial tax is deducted from your payments.
When should I apply for EI?
As soon as you stop working. Service Canada says applying more than 4 weeks after your last day of work may cost you benefits, and you can send documents later.
Looni reads your statements and flags bank fees, forgotten subscriptions and interest you might be paying without noticing, so a smaller income stretches further. Read-only, no advice.
Sources
Employment and Social Development Canada, EI regular benefits: How much you could receive (55%, $68,900, $729, best weeks, weeks table, family supplement), Do you qualify (criteria and hours by region), Apply (4-week rule, what you need), While on EI (working while on claim, travel, 28-day first payment) and Temporary EI measures (updated October 6, 2026); Service Canada EI region lookup by postal code and EI Benefits Estimator. The examples are illustrative; the arithmetic is ours.