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Employment Insurance (EI) provides regular benefits to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (for example, due to shortage of work, or seasonal or mass lay-offs) and are available for and able to work, but can't find a job.
- Eligibility
The unemployment rate in your area determines how many hours...
- Apply
If you applied for EI benefits in the past year. If you...
- How Much Could You Receive
You can receive EI from 14 weeks up to a maximum of 45...
- While on Ei
Work-Sharing. The EI Work-Sharing Program assists employers...
- Checklist
Records of employment. Missing records of employment (ROEs)...
- Eligibility
- On this page
- Eligibility criteria
- Eligibility for specific work situations
- Situations where you may not be eligible
- You need to have worked enough hours to be eligible
- Find other types of benefits
- Document navigation
•Eligibility criteria
•Eligibility for specific work situations
•Situations where you may not be eligible
•Find other types of benefits
To receive EI Regular benefits, you need to demonstrate that you:
•were employed in insurable employment
•lost your job through no fault of your own
•are affected by flooding or wildfires
•have been without work and without pay for at least 7 consecutive days in the last 52 weeks
•have worked for the required number of insurable employment hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter
You may still qualify for benefits, even if you work for an employer who is related to you.
Refer to the following links for eligibility information for these specific situations:
•EI Benefits and farmers
•EI Benefits and fishers
•EI Benefits and teachers
•EI Benefits and Canadian Force Members
•if you voluntarily left your job without just cause
•if you were dismissed for misconduct
•if you're unemployed because you're directly participating in a labour dispute (for example, a strike, lockout or other type of conflict)
•during a period of leave that compensates for a period in which you worked under an agreement with your employer, more hours than are normally worked in full-time employment
Number of hours of insurable employment required to qualify for EI
The qualifying period is the shorter of: the 52-week period immediately before the start date of your claim, or the period from the start of a previous benefit period to the start of your new benefit period, if you applied for benefits earlier and your application was approved in the last 52 weeks Exception: In some cases, the qualifying period may be extended to a maximum of 104 weeks if you weren’t employed in insurable employment or if you weren’t receiving EI benefits.
Determine how many hours you need
The unemployment rate in your area determines how many hours you need to qualify. Look up EI Economic Region by Postal Code to find out the unemployment rate in your region and the number of hours to qualify for regular benefits. If you received a notice of violation If you received a notice of violation regarding prior EI benefit periods, the number of insurable hours required to qualify is increased. Number of insurable hours required to qualify for EI benefits
Are EI regular benefits not applicable to you? Use the Benefits Finder to find other Government of Canada, provincial, or territorial benefits.
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Sep 3, 2024 · Learn what unemployment is, how it works and how to apply for it in this comprehensive article. Find out the eligibility, payment, tax and extension rules for unemployment benefits in different states.
Jul 30, 2024 · In this article, we answer the question "how does unemployment insurance work?" discuss who pays for it, learn about the variety of different benefit types, discover reasons for ineligibility, explain how you can receive it, and answer some FAQs.
You can receive EI from 14 weeks up to a maximum of 45 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate in your region at the time of filing your claim and the amount of insurable hours you've accumulated in the last 52 weeks or since your last claim, whichever is shorter.
Jul 30, 2024 · Unemployment is a type of benefit paid to eligible workers who lose their jobs. It provides financial security to people who are temporarily out of work and looking for a new job. Understanding the practical steps you can take may help you navigate this difficult time.
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Feb 7, 2006 · How EI Works. As of 1990, the fund has been financed by contributions shared by employees and employers. EI premiums are deducted from an employee’s insurable earnings. An employer contributes 1.4 times employee rate.
