Canada EI Benefits Calculator

Employment Insurance regular benefits replace 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to a maximum of $668/week in 2024 (calculated on insurable earnings up to $63,200/year). To qualify, you typically need 420-700 hours of insurable work in the prior 52 weeks, depending on your regional unemployment rate. Higher regional unemployment = lower hours required.

The benefit calculation uses your best 14-22 weeks of earnings (number depends on regional unemployment rate). Higher-paid weeks count more, encouraging seasonal workers and contract workers to maximise weekly earnings before claiming. Benefits last 14-45 weeks based on hours worked and regional unemployment.

Maternity benefits: 15 weeks for the birth parent, 55% of earnings up to the same weekly cap. Parental benefits: 35 weeks standard or 61 weeks extended (lower weekly amount), can be split between parents. Sickness benefits: now 26 weeks (extended from 15) for serious illness or injury preventing work.

Quebec residents claim parental benefits through QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan), not EI - QPIP is more generous in some scenarios with higher replacement rates and a separate paternity benefit. Outside Quebec, the standard EI benefits apply. The [Canada Maternity Leave Calculator](/canada-maternity-leave-calculator) handles the parental leave specifics.

There's a 1-week unpaid waiting period (similar to a deductible) before benefits start. After applying, processing typically takes 28 days. If approved, your first payment covers benefits from the end of the waiting period to the application processing date.

Direct deposit is fastest. Apply online at the Service Canada website within 4 weeks of your last day of work to avoid losing benefits. Late applications can sometimes be backdated if you have good cause, but the safer move is to apply immediately. Keep all separation paperwork (Record of Employment, ROE) - your employer must issue it within 5 days of separation.

You can work part-time while collecting EI. Earnings up to 90% of your weekly insurable earnings are kept; earnings above that reduce your EI dollar-for-dollar. So if your insurable earnings were $1,000/week, you can earn up to $900 in part-time work without losing any EI; earnings of $950 reduce your EI by $50.

You must report all earnings on your bi-weekly EI report. Failure to report (or under-reporting) can trigger overpayment claims, interest, and in serious cases criminal charges. EI benefits are taxable income - tax is withheld at source but often at lower rates than your normal employment, so April tax bills can surprise EI recipients.