EI Benefits Calculator

See how much EI you could get each week, and for how long: regular, sickness, maternity, parental and compassionate care benefits.

Insurable earnings

Your pay before tax over the last year

Type of benefit

EI a week, before tax

$582

55% of your average weekly earnings

For up to: 14 to 45 weeks
Over 45 weeks: $26,190

What this means

Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks, depending on how many hours you worked and the unemployment rate where you live. You need to have lost your job through no fault of your own.

EI is taxable, and there’s usually a one-week waiting period before payments start. Apply online as soon as you stop working: waiting more than 4 weeks can cost you benefits.

Next step

Every type of EI benefit

Benefit	A week	Weeks
Regular (lost your job)	$582	14–45
Sickness	$582	26
Maternity	$582	15
Standard parental	$582	35–40
Extended parental	$349	61–69
Compassionate care	$582	26

Who qualifies

You usually need 420 to 700 hours of insurable work in the last year for regular benefits, and 600 hours for sickness, maternity, parental and caregiving benefits.
Self-employed people can join EI for special benefits, but not regular benefits.

Assumptions in this estimate

Uses your earnings over the last year as your average. EI actually uses your best weeks, from 14 to 22 depending on where you live, up to $68,900 a year in 2026.
Low-income families with children may get a little more through the Family Supplement, which isn’t included.

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How the calculator works

Insurable earnings: your pay before tax over the last year.
Type of benefit: regular, sickness, maternity, parental, extended parental or compassionate care.

EI pays a share of your average weekly earnings, up to a maximum. In 2026, earnings above $68,900 a year don’t count.

Example

On $55,000 a year:

Benefit	A week	For up to
Regular	$582	14 to 45 weeks
Sickness	$582	26 weeks
Maternity	$582	15 weeks
Extended parental	$349	61 to 69 weeks

In Quebec, maternity and parental benefits are paid by the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan instead.

Last updated October 20, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How much does EI pay?

Most benefits pay 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026. Extended parental benefits pay 33%, up to $437 a week.

How long does EI last?

Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks, depending on your hours and the local unemployment rate. Sickness benefits last up to 26 weeks, maternity up to 15, and standard parental up to 40 weeks shared between parents.

Is EI taxable?

Yes. EI is taxable income, and some tax is usually deducted from each payment. If your net income is over about $86,000 and you also got regular benefits in the last 10 years, you may have to repay up to 30% of them.

Can I work while on EI?

Yes, but your benefits are reduced by 50 cents for each dollar you earn, up to 90% of your weekly insurable earnings.