EI Benefit Calculator 2026
Your weekly Employment Insurance payment (55% of insurable earnings, max $728 in 2026), estimated weeks of benefits from hours and regional unemployment, the effect of severance, working while on claim, tax withheld and the claim timeline — regular, sickness, maternity and parental.
| Benefit rate | — |
|---|---|
| Weeks of benefits | — |
| Waiting period and severance delay | — |
| Total benefits over the claim | — |
| Working while on claim | — |
| Tax withheld / net per week | — |
| Replacement of your previous pay | — |
| Claim timeline | — |
In short
Employment Insurance pays 55% of average weekly insurable earnings up to a 2026 maximum of $728 a week (on earnings of $68,900), for 14 to 45 weeks depending on insurable hours and the regional unemployment rate, after a one-week wait and after any severance has been used up; benefits are taxable and reduced by 50 cents per dollar earned while on claim.
Who this is for: Workers who have been laid off or are planning sickness, maternity or parental leave and need the weekly amount and timing.
How much EI pays in 2026 and for how long
Employment Insurance regular benefits replace 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, calculated from your best 14–22 weeks (fewer in high-unemployment regions), up to the 2026 maximum insurable earnings of $68,900 — so the most anyone receives is $728 a week. The benefit is taxable, starts after a one-week waiting period, and lasts 14 to 45 weeks depending on how many insurable hours you worked in the past 52 weeks and the unemployment rate in your EI economic region.
- Eligibility: 420–700 insurable hours (by regional rate) for regular benefits, 600 for sickness, maternity and parental; you must have lost the job through no fault of your own and be available for work.
- Severance delays it: severance, termination and vacation pay are allocated to the weeks after your last day, pushing the start of benefits back.
- Working while on claim: you keep 50 cents of benefit for every dollar earned, up to 90% of your previous weekly earnings.
- Special benefits: sickness up to 26 weeks; maternity 15 weeks; parental 40 weeks shared at 55% (standard) or 69 weeks at 33% (extended); Quebec runs its own QPIP for maternity/parental.
- Family supplement: low-income families (net income under about $25,921 with children) receive up to 80% of insurable earnings.
See also: Canada Take-Home Pay Calculator 2026, Canada Income Tax Calculator 2026 — All Provinces.
Assumptions
- Benefit = 55% (33% extended parental) × min(weekly earnings, $68,900 ÷ 52); family supplement up to 80% of earnings where family income is under $25,921 with children.
- Regular-benefit weeks approximated as 14–25 by regional unemployment rate plus one week per 70 hours over 420, capped at 45; minimum hours 420–700 by rate; special benefits use fixed durations.
- Working while on claim: benefit less 50% of earnings, nil at 90% of previous earnings; tax withheld estimated at the annualised rate.
Worked example
55% × $1,200 = $660 a week (below the $728 maximum) — 55% of previous pay. About 30 weeks of benefits at 7% unemployment with 1,500 hours ≈ $19,800 in total, about $2,860 a month. First payment roughly 7 weeks after the last day (1-week wait + 4 weeks of severance + processing). Working a day a week for $240 reduces the benefit to $540. Tax withheld roughly $75 a week at this income, leaving about $585.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum EI benefit in 2026?
$728 a week — 55% of the $68,900 maximum insurable earnings divided by 52; anyone earning $1,325 a week or more gets the maximum.
How many weeks of EI can I get?
14 to 45 weeks for regular benefits, based on insurable hours (420–1,820+) and the regional unemployment rate; sickness up to 26 weeks, maternity 15, parental 40 standard or 69 extended.
How many hours do I need to qualify for EI?
Between 420 and 700 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks for regular benefits, depending on the regional unemployment rate (700 at 6% or less, 420 at 13% or more); 600 hours for special benefits.
Can I get EI if I quit or was fired?
Not if you quit without just cause (such as harassment, dangerous conditions or a spouse's relocation) or were dismissed for misconduct; a layoff, end of contract or constructive dismissal qualifies.
Is EI taxable?
Yes — benefits are taxable income with some tax withheld at source; high earners (net income over about $82,000) may also have to repay up to 30% of regular benefits at filing.
Does severance affect EI?
Yes — severance, pay in lieu and vacation pay are allocated to the weeks after you stop working, so benefits start only once that period ends; you should still apply within 4 weeks.
Does EI have a clawback?
Yes — if your net income exceeds about $82,125 (2026) you repay 30% of regular benefits above that amount at filing; maternity, parental and sickness benefits are exempt.
How long does it take to get EI?
About 28 days after applying for the first payment if the ROE is on file; apply within four weeks of the last day of work even if you have not received the ROE.
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