Employment Insurance
Benefits Calculator
Calculate your weekly EI benefit using the official ESDC formula. Enter your insurable earnings, hours worked, and regional unemployment rate to find your benefit amount and duration.
Your EI details
Results are estimates using the official ESDC best-weeks formula — not a guarantee of benefit amount. Actual benefits depend on your Record of Employment and Service Canada processing. Always apply through My Service Canada Account. Terms →
How EI benefits are calculated
The Employment Insurance formula uses your best insurable weeks — not your total earnings.
EI pays 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $729/week in 2026. The maximum insurable earnings cap is $68,900 — if you earn $100,000/year, EI is still calculated on the first $68,900 only.
Service Canada takes your highest-earning weeks (14–22 depending on your region's unemployment rate) and divides to find your average weekly earnings. Higher regional unemployment = fewer best weeks used = higher benefit for part-year workers.
Duration is based on both insurable hours accumulated AND regional unemployment. More hours and higher regional unemployment mean more weeks of benefits, from a minimum of 14 weeks up to 45 weeks maximum.
Low-income families (net income under $25,921) with children who receive the Canada Child Benefit can receive a supplement that increases the replacement rate up to 80%. Only one spouse can claim the supplement if both receive EI simultaneously.
Frequently asked questions
How much EI will I receive?
Your weekly EI benefit = average insurable weekly earnings × 55%, capped at $729/week in 2026. Average weekly earnings = total earnings from your best weeks ÷ the number of best weeks (14–22 based on your region).
How many hours do I need for EI?
You need between 420 and 700 insurable hours in the 52 weeks before your claim, depending on your region's unemployment rate. Regions with higher unemployment require fewer hours.
When does EI start?
There is a 1-week unpaid waiting period before EI benefits begin. You can work during your EI claim — any earnings above 90% of your weekly benefit will reduce your payment, but under a Working While on Claim pilot, you keep 50 cents of every dollar earned up to 90% of your weekly benefit.
Is EI taxable?
Yes. EI benefits are taxable income. Service Canada withholds federal tax at a default rate, but you may owe more or receive a refund at tax time depending on your total income. You'll receive a T4E slip each year showing your total EI received and taxes withheld.
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