Are you looking for information about Employment Insurance or other federal government income benefits?
The Government of Canada has programs that provide benefits and services to people who have lost their jobs or need income support. Along with Employment Insurance, there are other programs that can help.
Employment Insurance
Employment Insurance (EI) provides regular benefits to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and are available for and able to work, but can't find a job. It includes temporary benefits for workers, sickness, fishing and family-related benefits.
Note: Due to COVID-19, there are changes to EI. To learn more about these changes, click here.
Other Federal Income Benefits
Along with EI, the Government of Canada has other income benefits and services. You can use the Benefits Finder, an online tool, to help you find benefits and services for which you may be eligible. The Benefits Finder asks a few questions and uses your answers to search. It does not collect or track your information. The more questions you answer, the more customized and accurate your results will be. Click here to use the Benefits Finder.
To see a list of all Government of Canada income assistance programs and benefits, click here.
To qualify for EI, you need to show that you:
- were employed in insurable employment
- lost your job through no fault of your own
- are affected by flooding or wildfires
- have been without work and without pay for at least 7 consecutive days in the last 52 weeks
- have worked for the required number of insurable employment hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is shorter
- are ready, willing and capable of working each day
- are actively looking for work (you must keep a written record of employers you contact, including when you contacted them)
You may still qualify for benefits, even if you work for an employer who is related to you.
You may not be entitled to benefits:
- if you voluntarily left your job without just cause
- if you were dismissed for misconduct
- if you're unemployed because you're directly participating in a labour dispute (for example, a strike, lockout or another type of conflict)
- during a period of leave that compensates for a period in which you worked under an agreement with your employer, more hours than are normally worked in full-time employment
You’re not entitled to receive EI benefits while you’re confined to a jail, penitentiary or other similar institution.
Refer to the following links for eligibility information for these specific 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
To apply, contact Service Canada. The best way is by using its eService Request form. Simply fill out the online form and a representative will contact you by phone within two business days. Click here to access.
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. Always apply for EI benefits as soon as you stop working. You can apply for benefits even if you have not yet received your record of employment (ROE). If you delay filing your claim for benefits for more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.
Note: The information below is a guideline. You should apply for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits as soon as possible and let the program officers determine if you’re eligible.
To apply for EI you will need to provide:
- 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 complete banking information to sign up for direct deposit, including:
- your financial institution name
- your bank branch number
- your account number
- the names, addresses, dates of employment, and reason for separation for all your employers over the last 52 weeks (or since the start of your last EI claim, whichever is the shorter period)
- your detailed version of the facts (if you quit or were dismissed from any job in the past 52 weeks)
- the dates, Sunday to Saturday, and earnings for each of your highest-paid weeks of insurable earnings
You may also have to provide the following details if you’re reactivating an existing claim:
- the salary amount you received, before deductions, for the last week you worked (from Sunday to your last day of work), including insurable tips and commissions
- any other amount you received or will receive, such as:
- vacation pay
- severance pay
- pension payments
- pay in lieu of notice
- other money