Lost your job? Apply for EI right away.
Employment Insurance gives you temporary income if you lose your job through no fault of your own. It pays 55% of your earnings up to a cap, but you have to apply fast. Here's how it works.
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In 30 seconds, here's what's true
- EI is a federal program (Service Canada) that gives you temporary income if you lose your job through no fault of your own. It also covers sickness, maternity, parental, and caregiving leave.
- It pays 55% of your average weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week in 2026. It does not replace your full salary.
- Apply within 4 weeks of your last day of work. Don't wait for your Record of Employment — your employer usually files it electronically.
- You generally can't get EI if you quit without just cause or were fired for misconduct — but 'just cause' for quitting does exist in certain situations.
- If you're denied, you can ask for a reconsideration within 30 days, then appeal to the new Employment Insurance Board of Appeal.
How the process works
Apply as soon as you stop working
File online at Canada.ca within 4 weeks of your last day. Applying late can cost you weeks of benefits. You don't need your Record of Employment in hand to start.
Make sure you qualify
You usually need between 420 and 700 hours of insurable work in the past year, depending on your area's unemployment rate, and you must be available for and looking for work.
File your reports every two weeks
Once you're approved, submit biweekly reports about any work, earnings, and your job search. Missing reports stops your payments.
Understand how severance affects timing
Severance or termination pay can delay when your EI starts, because it's treated as earnings. (A temporary measure suspends this for some 2025-2026 claims — check the current rules.)
Appeal if you're denied
Ask Service Canada for a reconsideration within 30 days. If that fails, appeal to the Employment Insurance Board of Appeal. Start a free PLAIN session and we'll point you to free help.
What to do next
- Apply online within 4 weeks of your last day.
- Have your record of employment details ready (or let it file electronically).
- Confirm you have enough insurable hours (420-700).
- Be available for and actively seeking work.
- File your biweekly reports on time.
- Factor in that severance can delay your start date.
- If denied, request a reconsideration within 30 days.
- If still denied, appeal to the EI Board of Appeal.
Common myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| I can't get EI if I quit. | Not always. If you had 'just cause' — like harassment or unsafe conditions where leaving was the only reasonable option — you may still qualify. |
| I can get EI if I was fired for misconduct. | Usually not. Being dismissed for misconduct disqualifies you from regular benefits. Poor performance, though, is generally not misconduct. |
| EI pays my full salary. | No. It pays 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026. |
| I have unlimited time to apply. | No. Apply within 4 weeks of your last day. Waiting can cost you weeks of benefits. |
| I don't need to look for work while on EI. | For regular benefits, you must be available for and actively looking for work, and keep a record of your job search. |
| Severance doesn't affect my EI. | It usually delays when EI starts, since it's treated as earnings. (A temporary measure suspends this for some 2025-2026 claims.) |
| I can't appeal an EI denial. | You can. Ask for a reconsideration within 30 days, then appeal to the Employment Insurance Board of Appeal. |
| EI lasts as long as I need it. | Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks, depending on your hours and your region's unemployment rate. |
Last reviewed June 2026
Written and reviewed by the founder of PLAIN, checked against primary government and legal sources. How we research these guides
Sources
PLAIN gives legal information, not legal advice. It is not a substitute for a lawyer or paralegal — and we'll point you to free ones. Laws change; we review these pages regularly, but always confirm current rules with the Ministry of Labour or a licensed professional.
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