The Employment Insurance (EI) programme offers short-term financial assistance to unemployed individuals as they hunt for work or pursue skill development.
- How much does EI pay right now?
- How do I check my EI benefits?
- Who is eligible for EI?
- What is EI and how does it work?
The EI program also provides special benefits to workers who take time off work due to specific life events:
- illness
- pregnancy
- caring for a newborn or newly adopted child
- caring for a critically ill or injured person
- caring for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death
Workers receive EI benefits only if they have paid premiums in the past year and meet qualifying and entitlement conditions. Self-employed workers may participate in EI and receive special benefits.
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) plays a leadership role in overseeing the EI program. The CEIC is also responsible for setting the annual EI premium rate. Service Canada’s role is:
- to provide timely and accurate EI benefit payments and services
- to support EI clients through each stage of the service delivery process by:
- providing benefit information
- responding to enquiries
- assisting employers
- processing claims and providing the means to appeal decisions
- conducting client authentication and identification, and
- preventing, detecting and deterring fraud and abuse
Employment Insurance(EI) Services
- Employment Insurance regular benefits
- Employment Insurance benefits for self-employed people
- Employment Insurance sickness benefits
- Employment Insurance and teachers
- Caregiving benefits and leave
- Employment Insurance benefits and farmers
- Employment Insurance fishing benefits
- Employment Insurance maternity and parental benefits
- EI – Extended parental benefit period for military families
- EI – Workers and residents outside of Canada
- Submitting EI reports
- EI reconsideration
- Automated Earnings Reporting System
- Request for Payroll Information Forms
- Record of Employment
- Record of Employment on the Web (ROE Web)
- Access Record of Employment on the Web (ROE Web)
- EI – Information for employers
- Work-Sharing
- Working while on claim
- Premium Reduction Program – For employers
- Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Program
Employment Insurance benefits and leave
Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and leave information for workers, families, fishers and sickness, how to apply and how to submit a report.
Regular benefits
Apply for benefits if you have lost your job through no fault of your own.
Sickness benefits
Apply if you are unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine.
Maternity and parental benefits
Apply if you’re pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child or are caring for a newborn.
Caregiving benefits and leave
Apply if you are providing care or support to a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care.
Benefits for the self-employed
Get information on the self-employed program and find out how to register.
Benefits for Canadians living abroad
If you live or work outside of Canada, get information on Employment Insurance, pensions, benefits and taxes.
Fishing benefits
Apply for benefits if you are a self-employed fisher who is actively seeking work.
Find a job
Find public and private sector job opportunities if you lost your job, apply or extend a work permit, get a social insurance number, a criminal record check or a security clearance.
Employment Insurance information for employers
Employers’ EI responsibilities, records of employment and instructions on completing the ROE form during COVID-19, EI premiums and other resources.