What is EI in Canada?

• 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 seven 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)

In addition to supporting you when you lose your job, EI pays benefits when you can’t work for other reasons, such as:

• illness
• pregnancy
• caring for a newborn or newly adopted child
• caring for a critically ill or injured person
• caring for seriously ill family member at risk of death

You would not be eligible for EI benefits if the following apply to your situation:

• 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 other 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

In order to apply for EI, you will need to have your social insurance number (SIN), the last names of both your parents, your mailing address, your banking information (institution name, transit number and account number), employment details from the past 52 weeks (employer names, addresses, dates of employment, reason for termination and earnings). You can apply online at Canada.ca. 

Example: “Judith was a self-employed yoga teacher. She wanted to participate in EI, so she registered with the Government of Canada and started paying EI premiums. After 12 months, she was eligible for benefits that would provide up to 55% of her earnings if she had to stop working to care for herself, her children or other family members. She did not have the same EI benefits as an employee, but what she had gave her peace of mind.”

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About MoneySense Editors

MoneySense editors and journalists work closely with leading personal finance experts in Canada. Since 1999, our award-winning magazine has helped Canadians navigate money matters.

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