â Browse benefitsOfficial government page â
Federal (Canada)Income support
Employment Insurance
Temporary income if you lose your job through no fault of your own (regular benefits) or cannot work because of illness or injury (sickness benefits). You must have paid into EI.
Estimated value
55% of earnings, up to $729/week (2026), for up to 45 weeks (regular) or 26 weeks (sickness)
How to apply
- 1
Apply as soon as you stop working
Apply online right away â even before you get your Record of Employment. Waiting more than 4 weeks can cost you benefits.
Go to application â - 2
Get your Record of Employment
Your employer sends the Record of Employment to Service Canada, usually electronically. For sickness benefits you also need a medical certificate.
- 3
Submit reports every 2 weeks
To keep getting paid, submit your reports on time confirming you are still eligible.
Documents you will need
- Record of Employment
- Social Insurance Number
- Banking information for direct deposit
- Medical certificate (for sickness benefits)
Processing time
First payment usually in 28 days
How often it is paid
Every 2 weeks
Often applied for together
Last verified: August 31, 2026