EI: What it Covers and How to Actually Use It

EI: What It Actually Covers and How to Get It

Most Canadians see “EI” pop up on their pay stub every month. But few people really know what it covers, who qualifies, or how to actually use it if life throws a curveball.

Let’s clear it up.

What is EI, really?

Employment Insurance (EI) is a federal program that gives you temporary income support when you can't work.

That includes situations like:

• Losing your job through no fault of your own (like a layoff)

• Taking time off for illness or injury

• Going on maternity or parental leave

• Caring for a critically ill family member

You’re automatically paying into EI if you’re employed. And if you’re self-employed, you actually have the option to enroll and start contributing too if you wanted to.

Why would you do that? Because opting in gives you access to things like:

• Paid maternity or parental leave if you want it while running your business

• Sickness benefits if you’re too ill to work

• Caregiving support if you need time off to look after someone close to you

It’s one of the few ways self-employed folks can get a safety net when income takes a hit. But there's a catch, you have to be enrolled for at least 12 months before you can make a claim. So it's something you have to plan ahead for because enrolling today won’t get you anything for a while.

How much does EI pay?

In most cases, EI pays 55% of your average weekly earnings, up to a set maximum.

In 2025, the weekly cap is $668.

So, if you were making $1,000 per week before going on leave, your EI payment would be around $550 per week. If you were making $2,000 per week, you'd still cap out at $668.

The amount of time you’ll receive payments depends on what kind of benefit you’re applying for, and how long you’ve been working before applying.

How long can you receive EI?

For regular EI benefits (like job loss), payments can last anywhere from 14 to 45 weeks. The exact number depends on:

• Where you live

• How many insurable hours you've worked (basically paid hours at a job)

What do you need to qualify?

To be eligible for regular EI benefits, you generally need:

• Between 420 and 700 hours of paid work in the past year (can be more than 700 - the more hours the more coverage!)

• A Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer. This is a short document that confirms when you worked, how many hours you put in, and why you stopped working

• To be actively looking for work while you’re receiving benefits

If you're applying for other types of EI, here’s what that looks like:

• Parental or maternity leave: You need at least 600 hours of insurable work in the last 52 weeks. You also need to apply within 12 months of your child’s birth or adoption.

• Sickness benefits: You’ll need 600 hours as well, plus proof from a doctor that you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

• Caregiving benefits: Same 600-hour rule applies. You’ll need a medical certificate showing that your family member is critically ill, injured, or needs end-of-life care.

These benefits are still part of EI, but they have slightly different requirements and timelines. Applying early and checking the specifics is key.

How to apply for EI

You apply for EI through Service Canada, and it’s important to do it as soon as you stop working. Waiting too long could mean you lose out on benefits, even if you qualify.

Here’s the link to apply:
📝 Apply for EI with Service Canada

Final thoughts

EI isn’t just another deduction that disappears from your paycheck. It’s a program you help fund every month, and one that’s built to support you when/if work isn’t possible.

Whether you’re self-employed and planning for parental leave, or you’ve recently been laid off, EI can make a big difference. The key is knowing how it works and being ready to apply when you need it.

It’s your coverage, your contributions, and now you know how to make the most of it!