Have you recently lost your job? Are you unable to work due to illness or injury? Are you looking to apply for maternity or parental leave?
The Government of Canada has programs to support people who have lost their jobs or need income support. Along with Employment Insurance, there are other federal programs that can help.
Employment Insurance (EI)
Employment Insurance gives regular payments to people who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. It helps people who are ready and able to work but can't find a job. This includes people who:
- Have lost their job due to lack of work
- Work in seasonal jobs
- Have been affected by large layoffs
- Are unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine,
- Are pregnant, recently gave birth, adopting a child, or caring for a newborn
- Are providing care for a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care
- Are self-employed and looking for work
How much money will I receive?
To get an estimate of how much you might receive and for how long, you can use the EI Benefits Estimator.
Other Federal Income Benefits
Visit the Government of Canada’s Benefits page for a complete list of federal benefits. You can also use their Benefits Finder online tool to help you find Benefits and Services that you may be eligible to receive.
To receive Employment Insurance, you need to show that you:
- Worked in a job that qualifies for EI, also known as insurable employment
- Lost your job through no fault of your own
- Have not worked or been paid for at least 7 consecutive days in the last 52 weeks.
- Have worked for the required number of hours, also known as insurable employment hours:
- In the last 52 weeks, or
- Since the start of your last EI claim (whichever is shorter).
Visit the Government of Canada’s Postal Code look up page to find the required number of hours (unemployment rate) in your area.
- Are ready, willing and capable of working each day
- Are actively looking for work (you must keep a written record of employers you contact and when)
You may not be eligible for EI if you:
- Quit your job without a good reason
- Were fired for bad behaviour
- Are unemployed because of a labor dispute (like a strike or lockout)
- Are on leave to make up for a period of time when you worked more hours than are normally worked in full-time employment
- Are in jail, penitentiary, or another similar institution
Eligibility for specific work situations
Refer to the Government of Canada’s Eligibility for specific work situations page for eligibility information for the following situations:
- EI Benefits and farmers
- EI Maternity and Parental Benefits
- EI Benefits and fishers
- EI Benefits and teachers
- EI Benefits and Canadian Forces Members
- Special benefits for self-employed people
- EI Benefits for workers and residents outside of Canada
Don't wait to apply!You can send required documents after you apply. Always apply for EI benefits as soon as you stop working. You can apply for benefits even if you haven't yet received your record of employment. If you delay applying for more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. |
To get started, visit the employment insurance online application page.
You can apply online at home, at any Service Canada Centre using one of the many Internet kiosks available, or at a public Internet access site, such as a public library. The website takes you step by step through the application process.
Support options are provided within the application if you need help.
You will be asked a series of questions to help determine:
- What type of benefits are right for you, and
- If you are eligible.
Make sure you read and follow the application instructions carefully to prevent delays.
After you apply, you can visit the Government of Canada’s website for the following information:
- When to expect a decision
- How to check your application status
- How to submit your biweekly reports
To apply for Employment Insurance (EI) you will need to provide some information that will be used, along with your record(s) of employment (ROE), to calculate your benefit rate.
To apply for EI you will need:
your social insurance number (SIN)
- if your SIN begins with a 9, you need to supply proof of your immigration status and work permit
the last name at birth of one of your parents
your mailing and home addresses, including postal codes
your banking information to sign up for direct deposit, including:
- your financial institution name
- your bank branch number
- your account number
details about any employment in the past 52 weeks or since the start of your last claim, whichever is shorter. This includes:
- employer names
- addresses
- dates of employment
- reason for separation (if you quit or were dismissed, you will need to provide your version of the facts)