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Service Canada

Working While on EI: How Earnings Affect Your Benefits

You can work while on EI regular benefits. You keep 50 cents of your benefits for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of the weekly earnings your EI was based on; above that, earnings are deducted dollar for dollar. Report all work and earnings for the week you did the work.

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

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Example

Say your EI was based on weekly earnings of $1,000, so your benefit is $550. You earn $400 in a week.

  • Your benefit goes down by half of $400: $200.
  • You get $350 in EI plus your $400 pay: $750 in total.
  • The 90% limit here is $900. Every dollar you earn above $900 in a week is taken off your EI dollar for dollar.

Report everything

Report your hours and gross earnings in the week you did the work, even if you are paid later. Not reporting can lead to an overpayment you must repay, and penalties.

Other money

Some payments count as earnings and reduce your EI; others don't. Service Canada has an earnings chart that lists them. Under a temporary measure, separation pay (vacation pay, severance, pay in lieu of notice) is not deducted for claims starting between March 30, 2025 and October 9, 2027.

Travelling outside Canada

You usually can't get regular benefits while abroad. Exceptions: up to 7 days for a close relative's funeral or serious illness, or a job interview, and up to 14 days for a genuine job search. Tell Service Canada about the trip.

Back to work full time?

Tell Service Canada in your report. If the job is short-term, you may be able to reactivate your claim later.

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

EI Bi-Weekly Reports: How and When to Submit Them Submit an EI report every 2 weeks online through the Internet Reporting Service, or by phone at 1-800-531-7555. You need your SIN and the 4-digit access code from your benefit statement. You have 3 weeks from each due date to submit. How Much EI Will I Get? The 2026 EI Calculation Explained EI regular benefits pay 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings over your best 14 to 22 weeks, up to $729 a week in 2026. You get 14 to 45 weeks, depending on your hours and the local unemployment rate. Low-income families with children may get the family supplement, up to 80%. 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work part-time on EI?

Yes. You keep 50 cents of EI for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of your previous weekly insurable earnings.

Do I report gross or net earnings?

Gross earnings, before deductions, for the week you did the work.

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.