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Employment Insurance (EI) 2026: Who Qualifies and How Much

Employment Insurance pays up to 55% of your average insurable earnings, to a maximum of $729 a week in 2026, if you lose your job through no fault of your own or can't work because of illness, a new child or caring for someone. Most people need 420 to 700 insured work hours.

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Free tool: EI Calculator 2026: Estimate Your Weekly EI and Weeks

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Types of EI benefits

BenefitForUp to
Regular benefitsLosing your job through no fault of your own14 to 45 weeks
SicknessCan't work for medical reasons26 weeks
MaternityPregnancy and recent birth15 weeks
ParentalCaring for a newborn or newly adopted child40 weeks standard, or 69 extended (shared)
CaregivingCaring for a critically ill or injured person, or end-of-life care15 to 35 weeks

How much EI pays

  • 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026.
  • Extended parental benefits pay 33%, up to $437 a week.
  • The 2026 maximum insurable earnings are $68,900 a year.
  • EI is taxable; tax is deducted from your payments.

Estimate your amount with our EI calculator, or read how EI is calculated.

Temporary measures in effect now

The one-week unpaid waiting period is waived for new claims starting between March 30, 2025 and October 9, 2027, and long-tenured workers may get up to 20 extra weeks. See temporary EI measures.

Apply right away

Apply online as soon as you stop working. Waiting more than 4 weeks after your last day can cost you benefits. See how to apply for EI.

Phone numbers

Employment Insurance (automated info 24/7, press 0 for an officer)

1-800-206-7218

Officers: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Automated service: 24/7.

From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-877-486-1650

TTY: 1-800-529-3742

Related

Free tool EI Calculator 2026: Estimate Your Weekly EI and Weeks Enter your earnings, insurable hours and your region's unemployment rate to estimate your weekly EI regular benefit (55%, up to $729 in 2026) and how many weeks you could get, using Service Canada's published tables. How to Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) Online Apply online as soon as you stop working: waiting more than 4 weeks after your last day can cost you benefits. The application takes about 1 hour. You need your SIN, addresses, banking details and your employment details for the past 52 weeks. EI Eligibility: How Many Hours You Need to Qualify (2026) To qualify for EI regular benefits you need between 420 and 700 hours of insurable work in the last 52 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate where you live. You must have lost your job through no fault of your own, been without work and pay for 7 days, and be ready and looking for work. EI Phone Number: How to Contact Employment Insurance The Employment Insurance phone number is 1-800-206-7218. The automated information service runs 24/7; press 0 to reach an officer, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Submit bi-weekly reports by phone at 1-800-531-7555.

Frequently asked questions

How much is EI per week in 2026?

Up to $729 a week, which is 55% of average insurable earnings up to the yearly maximum of $68,900.

How long does EI last?

Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks, depending on your hours worked and the unemployment rate where you live. Some long-tenured workers can get up to 65 weeks under a temporary measure.

Can I get EI if I quit?

Usually not, unless you had just cause. Each situation is reviewed, so apply and let Service Canada decide.

Sources

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.