How to Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits in Canada

What Is Employment Insurance (EI)?

Employment Insurance, commonly known as EI, is a program run by the Government of Canada that provides temporary financial help to workers who have lost their jobs. EI regular benefits are for people who lost their job through no fault of their own, such as due to a layoff or shortage of work, and who are actively looking for new employment. The program is funded through premiums paid by both employees and employers on every paycheque.

EI is not just for layoffs. There are also special benefits for sickness, maternity, parental leave, caregiving, and fishing. This guide focuses on EI regular benefits, which are the most common type that newcomers and workers in Canada apply for when they lose their job.

Do You Qualify for EI Regular Benefits?

To qualify for EI regular benefits, you must meet several conditions. First, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own. This means you were laid off, your contract ended, or your employer did not have enough work. If you quit voluntarily or were fired for misconduct, you generally will not qualify, though there are exceptions.

How Many Insurable Hours Do You Need?

The number of insurable hours you need depends on the unemployment rate in your economic region at the time you file your claim. Canada is divided into EI economic regions, and each region has its own unemployment rate. The required hours range from 420 hours (in regions with high unemployment, above 13%) to 700 hours (in regions with low unemployment, 6% or less). You can check the unemployment rate for your region on the Service Canada EI page.

If you are a new entrant or re-entrant to the workforce (meaning you have had fewer than 490 hours of insurable employment in the past 52 weeks and have not received EI in the past 3 years), you generally need 700 hours regardless of your regional rate. This rule often affects newcomers to Canada who are entering the workforce for the first time.

The Record of Employment (ROE)

Your employer must issue a Record of Employment (ROE) when you stop working. This document shows how many insurable hours you worked and your insurable earnings. Most employers submit the ROE electronically directly to Service Canada, so you may not receive a paper copy. You can view your ROE through your My Service Canada Account. If your employer gives you a paper ROE, keep it safe because you will need to submit it with your application.

How to Apply for EI: Step by Step

Step 1: Create a My Service Canada Account

If you do not already have a My Service Canada Account (MSCA), you will need to create one. Go to the My Service Canada Account page and follow the registration steps. You will need your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to register. If you do not have a SIN yet, read our guide on your first weeks in Canada to learn how to get one.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

Log in to your MSCA and select "Apply for Employment Insurance benefits." The application will ask about your employment history, reason for separation, and personal information. You should apply within 4 weeks of your last day of work. The entire application takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

Step 3: Submit Supporting Documents

If you have a paper ROE, you will need to mail it to your local Service Canada office. If your ROE was submitted electronically, Service Canada will access it automatically. You may also need to provide additional documents if requested, such as a separation certificate or proof of address.

Step 4: Serve the One-Week Waiting Period

There is a mandatory one-week waiting period at the start of every new EI claim. This works like a deductible. You will not receive payment for this first week, but you still need to complete your biweekly report for it.

How Much Will You Receive?

EI regular benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum. As of 2025, the maximum insurable earnings amount is $63,200 per year, which means the maximum weekly benefit rate is approximately $668 per week. Your actual benefit amount will depend on your earnings during the qualifying period, which is typically the last 26 weeks or your best weeks of earnings.

How Long Can You Collect EI?

The number of weeks you can collect EI depends on two factors: the number of insurable hours you accumulated and the unemployment rate in your region. You can receive EI regular benefits for a minimum of 14 weeks and a maximum of 45 weeks. Check the EI benefit amount page for a detailed table.

Biweekly Reporting

To continue receiving your EI payments, you must complete a biweekly report (also called a claimant report) every two weeks. This report asks whether you were available and looking for work, whether you worked or earned any money, and whether you were away from your area. You can complete these reports online through your MSCA or by phone using the automated telephone reporting service.

If you miss a report, your payments will stop until you complete it. Set a reminder on your calendar so you do not forget. Reports are typically due on a specific day every two weeks, and Service Canada will tell you your reporting schedule when your claim is approved.

Working While on EI

You are allowed to work and earn money while receiving EI, but your earnings will affect your benefits. Under the working while on claim rules, you can keep 50 cents of your EI benefits for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of your previous weekly earnings. After that, your EI benefits are reduced dollar for dollar. This means taking a part-time job or doing occasional work will not cause you to lose all your benefits, but you must report all earnings on your biweekly report.

Job Search Requirements

While on EI, you are expected to conduct a reasonable job search. This means applying for suitable jobs, attending interviews, and accepting reasonable offers of employment. Service Canada may ask you to provide evidence of your job search activities. Keeping a log of jobs you apply for, including dates, company names, and positions, is a good practice.

What If Your Claim Is Denied?

If your EI claim is denied, you have the right to request a reconsideration. You must submit your request within 30 days of receiving the decision. If you are still not satisfied after the reconsideration, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal of Canada. The EI reconsideration page explains the process in detail.

Helpful Resources

• Government of Canada: Employment Insurance
• How to Open a Bank Account as a Newcomer
• Applying for the GST/HST Credit
• PR Card Renewal Guide
• How to Apply for Canadian Citizenship

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