Losing your job or stopping work for health or family reasons is stressful, and money worries usually come first. Employment Insurance (EI) exists to replace part of your income while you are between jobs or unable to work. This guide explains how to apply for EI in Canada step by step: who qualifies, what you need before you start, when to apply and what happens after you submit your claim.
What Is Employment Insurance (EI)?
Employment Insurance is a federal program run by Service Canada. Workers and employers pay EI premiums through payroll, and eligible workers can receive temporary financial help when they stop working. The main types of EI benefits are:
- Regular benefits: for people who lose their job through no fault of their own, such as a layoff or shortage of work.
- Sickness benefits: for people who cannot work because of illness, injury or quarantine.
- Maternity and parental benefits: for people who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child.
- Caregiving benefits: for people caring for a critically ill or injured family member, or someone at the end of life.
- Fishing benefits: for qualifying self-employed fishers.
Who Qualifies for EI Regular Benefits?
Eligibility rules depend on the type of benefit. For regular benefits, you generally need to:
- Have lost your job through no fault of your own (quitting without just cause or being fired for misconduct can make you ineligible).
- Have been without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days in the last 52 weeks.
- Have worked enough insurable hours in your qualifying period, usually the last 52 weeks. The number required typically ranges from 420 to 700 hours, depending on the unemployment rate where you live.
- Be ready, willing and able to work every day, and actively look for a job.
Eligibility is always confirmed by Service Canada when it reviews your application, so apply even if you are not sure you qualify.
Documents and Information You Need
Gather the following before you start the online application. It usually takes about an hour to complete.
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN). If you do not have one yet, see our guide on how to get a SIN in Canada.
- Your mailing and home address, including postal code
- Your banking information for direct deposit
- Names, addresses and dates of employment for every employer in the last 52 weeks
- The reason you stopped working at each job
- Your Record of Employment (ROE). Most employers send it electronically to Service Canada, so you may not need a paper copy.
- For sickness benefits, a medical certificate, which you keep in case Service Canada asks for it
How to Apply for EI: Step by Step
1. Apply as soon as you stop working
Do not wait for your Record of Employment. If you delay your application by more than four weeks after your last day of work, you could lose benefits.
2. Complete the online application
Applications are filed online on the Government of Canada’s Employment Insurance benefits page. Choose the benefit type that matches your situation and answer every question carefully, especially those about why you stopped working.
3. Note your confirmation number
At the end, you will get a confirmation number. Save it. It proves you applied and on what date.
4. Watch for your access code and benefit statement
After you apply, Service Canada sends a benefit statement with your access code by mail. You will need this code to submit your reports.
5. Serve the waiting period
There is generally a one-week waiting period at the start of a claim, during which no benefits are paid.
6. Submit your bi-weekly reports
To keep receiving payments, you must complete reports every two weeks, online or by phone. Report any work and earnings honestly, even part-time or casual income.
How Much Will You Receive?
For most people, the basic benefit rate is 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount that is updated each year. Regular benefits can last between 14 and 45 weeks, depending on your insurable hours and the regional unemployment rate. Benefits are taxable income, so plan for that when you file your return.
To estimate your budget while on EI, our partner site offers free Canadian personal finance calculators. You may also want to review how your savings accounts fit into your plan in our TFSA vs RRSP guide.
Common Mistakes That Delay EI Claims
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Waiting for the ROE before applying | A late application can cost you weeks of benefits |
| Wrong reason for separation | Can trigger an investigation or refusal |
| Not reporting part-time earnings | Overpayments must be repaid, sometimes with penalties |
| Missing a bi-weekly report | Payments stop until reports are submitted |
| Travelling outside Canada without declaring it | You may not be eligible for benefits during that time |
Beware of EI Scams
Fraudsters sometimes impersonate Service Canada by email, text or phone, asking for your SIN or banking details. Service Canada will never ask you to click a link in a text message to receive benefits. Learn the warning signs in our guide on how to recognize phishing emails and texts.
If Your Claim Is Refused
If Service Canada denies your claim, you have the right to request a reconsideration, generally within 30 days of receiving the decision. Explain why you disagree and include any supporting documents. If the decision is maintained, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal.
FAQ: Applying for EI in Canada
Can I apply for EI if I quit my job?
Usually not, unless you had just cause, such as harassment, unsafe working conditions or a significant change in your duties or pay. Explain your situation clearly in your application.
How long does it take to receive the first EI payment?
If you are eligible and your file is complete, the first payment usually arrives within about 28 days of applying.
Can I work part-time while on EI?
Yes. You can work and keep part of your benefits, but you must declare all earnings in your bi-weekly reports.
Do I need my Record of Employment to apply?
No. Apply right away. Most employers submit the ROE electronically, and Service Canada will match it to your claim.