Canada Employment Insurance Calculator
Work out your estimated Employment Insurance regular benefit using the current 2026 Service Canada figures — the 55% benefit rate, the CAD 68,900 maximum insurable earnings ceiling, and the CAD 729 weekly maximum. Enter your average weekly earnings, region, and insurable hours to see your estimated weekly amount, how long benefits may last, and the EI premiums deducted from your pay.
Enter Your Earnings
Add your average weekly insurable earnings from your best weeks, plus your benefit year and province.
Add Your region & Hours
Select your regional unemployment band and insurable hours so the best-weeks divisor and estimated duration can be applied.
Review the Breakdown
View your estimated weekly benefit, the number of weeks it may be paid, and your annual EI premiums, with figures drawn from official Service Canada and CRA data.
Canada EI Calculator
2026 Service Canada rates · regular benefit estimate
Benefit Summary
REST OF CANADAYour EI benefit estimate
A plain-English read of the EI regular benefit on these inputs — using the Service Canada 2026 rate of 55%, the CAD 68,900 maximum insurable earnings ceiling, and the best-weeks divisor for the selected region.
Weekly benefit at different earnings
Estimated weekly EI regular benefit across a range of average weekly insurable earnings, at the 55% rate. The benefit rises with earnings until it reaches the 2026 maximum of CAD 729 per week, then flattens.
| Avg Weekly Earnings | Annual Equivalent | Insured Portion | Weekly Benefit |
|---|
Best weeks & how long benefits last
Service Canada averages your highest-earning weeks ("best weeks") over a divisor set by the regional unemployment rate. The number of weeks you can receive benefits (14 to 45) depends on that rate and your insurable hours. Service Canada source ↗
| Regional Unemployment Rate | Best Weeks (Divisor) |
|---|
EI premiums deducted from pay
While employed, EI premiums are deducted from each paycheque at a fixed rate on insurable earnings up to the annual maximum. This shows the premium on the annual equivalent of the earnings entered. CRA source ↗
| Item | Employee | Employer (1.4×) |
|---|
How Employment Insurance Works in Canada
A reference guide to Canada's EI program — the 2026 rates, the main benefit types, how the weekly amount and duration are worked out, and worked examples. All figures verified against official Government of Canada sources.
The 2026 EI Snapshot
Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary income support to people who lose their job through no fault of their own, and to those taking maternity, parental, sickness, caregiving, or compassionate-care leave. For 2026, the basic benefit rate is 55% of average weekly insurable earnings, calculated from your best weeks, up to a maximum of CAD 729 per week.
Premiums fund the program. In 2026, employees pay 1.63% of insurable earnings up to the maximum insurable earnings of CAD 68,900, for a maximum annual premium of CAD 1,123.07. Employers pay 1.4 times the employee rate. Residents of Quebec pay a lower EI rate (1.30%) because the province runs its own parental insurance plan (QPIP).
The Main EI Benefit Types
EI covers several situations. Each type has its own eligibility rules and duration, but all share the 55% benefit rate (33% for the extended parental option) and the CAD 729 weekly maximum in 2026.
Regular Benefits
For people who lose their job through no fault of their own and are available for work. Paid at 55% of average weekly insurable earnings for 14 to 45 weeks, depending on insurable hours and the regional unemployment rate.
Sickness Benefits
For people unable to work due to illness, injury, or quarantine. Paid at 55% of insurable earnings for up to 26 weeks. Generally require 600 insurable hours in the qualifying period.
Maternity & Parental
Maternity benefits run up to 15 weeks for the person giving birth. Parental benefits are standard (up to 35 weeks per parent, 40 shared, at 55%) or extended (up to 61 weeks per parent, 69 shared, at 33%). Quebec uses QPIP instead.
Caregiving Benefits
For people caring for a critically ill or injured family member, or someone needing end-of-life care. Paid at 55% of insurable earnings; duration depends on the type (up to 26, 35, or 15 weeks). Generally require 600 insurable hours.
Key EI Comparisons
How the main choices and categories compare — and why the difference matters for the amount and length of benefits.
Standard vs Extended Parental Benefits
| Factor | Standard | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| Benefit rate | 55% of insurable earnings | 33% of insurable earnings |
| Weeks per parent | Up to 35 weeks | Up to 61 weeks |
| Weeks if shared | Up to 40 weeks combined | Up to 69 weeks combined |
| 2026 weekly maximum | CAD 729 | CAD 437 |
| Best suited to | Shorter leave, higher weekly amount | Longer leave, lower weekly amount |
Insurable Hours Required by Benefit Type
| Benefit Type | Hours Required | Benefit Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Regular benefits | 420–700 (by regional unemployment rate) | 55% |
| Sickness benefits | 600 insurable hours | 55% |
| Maternity / parental | 600 insurable hours | 55% (33% extended) |
| Caregiving benefits | 600 insurable hours | 55% |
| Self-employed (opt-in) | CAD 9,254 minimum earnings (2026) | 55% (33% extended) |
EI Premiums — Rest of Canada vs Quebec (2026)
| Item | Rest of Canada | Quebec (QPIP) |
|---|---|---|
| Employee rate (per $100) | CAD 1.63 | CAD 1.30 |
| Employer rate (per $100) | CAD 2.28 | CAD 1.82 |
| Max annual employee premium | CAD 1,123.07 | CAD 895.70 |
| Max annual employer premium | CAD 1,572.30 | CAD 1,253.98 |
| Maximum insurable earnings | CAD 68,900 | CAD 68,900 |
Worked Examples
Illustrative scenarios showing how the 2026 rules apply in practice. Figures are examples only and do not reflect any individual's circumstances.
Canada EI Snapshot
Maximum benefits, insurable earnings, premium rates, and how benefits scale
Service Canada · 2026 EI rates & maximumsEI Maximums Over Time
Annual figures, 2023–2026
Weekly Benefit by Earnings
55% of insurable earnings, capped at CAD 729 (2026)
Best Weeks by Region
Divisor used in the average, by regional unemployment rate
Hours to Qualify by Region
Indicative insurable hours required for regular benefits
| Year | Max Insurable Earnings | Max Weekly Benefit | Employee Rate | Max Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | CAD 61,500 | CAD 650 | 1.63% | CAD 1,002.45 |
| 2024 | CAD 63,200 | CAD 668 | 1.66% | CAD 1,049.12 |
| 2025 | CAD 65,700 | CAD 695 | 1.64% | CAD 1,077.48 |
| 2026 | CAD 68,900 | CAD 729 | 1.63% | CAD 1,123.07 |
Canada EI News & Updates
Recent Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Service Canada, CRA, and Canada Gazette announcements affecting EI claimants — sourced from official government channels.
EI Temporary Tariff Measures Extended to October 2026
ESDC announced a six-month extension of three temporary EI measures supporting workers affected by tariffs, moving the end date for affected claims from April 2026 to October 2026.
Key Changes
- The one-week waiting period is waived for eligible claims established between 30 March 2025 and 10 October 2026
- Separation payments (such as severance) are not treated as earnings, so claimants need not exhaust them before EI begins
- Long-tenured workers can receive up to 20 additional weeks of regular benefits (claims from 15 June 2025 to 10 October 2026)
- ESDC projects over 811,000 additional claims will benefit across the three measures
Impact
Eligible claimants may receive benefits sooner and, for long-tenured workers, for longer — up to a maximum of 65 weeks.
What to Watch
Eligibility depends on when the claim is established. Confirm current end dates with Service Canada before relying on them.
2026 EI Premium Rates & Maximums Take Effect
The CRA's 2026 EI premium rates and maximum insurable earnings apply from 1 January 2026, with a slightly lower employee rate and a higher earnings ceiling.
Key Changes
- Maximum insurable earnings (MIE) increased to CAD 68,900, from CAD 65,700 in 2025
- Employee premium rate decreased to 1.63% (CAD 1.63 per $100), from 1.64%
- Maximum annual employee premium is CAD 1,123.07; employers pay 1.4× (CAD 1,572.30)
- Quebec (QPIP) employee rate is 1.30%, with a maximum employee premium of CAD 895.70
Impact
Higher earners contribute more in total premiums because the earnings ceiling rose; the per-dollar rate is marginally lower.
What to Watch
Premiums stop once insurable earnings reach the MIE for the year with a given employer.
Maximum Weekly EI Benefit Rises to CAD 729
With the higher maximum insurable earnings, the maximum weekly EI benefit increased for 2026, alongside the maximum for extended parental benefits.
Key Changes
- Maximum weekly regular benefit increased to CAD 729, from CAD 695 in 2025
- The basic benefit rate remains 55% of average weekly insurable earnings
- The extended parental rate remains 33%, with a proportionally lower weekly maximum
- Minimum self-employed earnings to access special benefits is CAD 9,254 for 2026
Impact
Claimants whose insured earnings reach the ceiling receive a higher weekly maximum than in 2025.
What to Watch
The weekly benefit rate is set when the claim begins and stays fixed for the life of that claim.
Regulations Introduce 20 Extra Weeks for Long-Tenured Workers
Amending regulations (SOR/2025-205) under EI Pilot Project No. 24 introduced an additional 20 weeks of regular benefits for qualifying long-tenured workers and extended two existing measures.
Key Changes
- Up to 20 extra weeks of regular benefits for long-tenured workers, lifting the maximum from 45 to as much as 65 weeks
- To qualify, a worker generally paid at least 30% of the maximum annual EI premium in 7 of the last 10 years
- And received 35 weeks or less of regular or fishing benefits in the prior 260 weeks
- The temporary unemployment-rate adjustment measure expired on 11 October 2025
Impact
Workers with long, steady contribution histories gain more time on benefits while seeking new work.
What to Watch
Eligibility windows are defined by regulation and have been amended more than once — check the current rules.
Commission Sets the 2026 EI Premium Rate at 1.63%
The Canada Employment Insurance Commission set the 2026 premium rate based on the seven-year break-even forecast from the EI Senior Actuary, and confirmed the higher maximum insurable earnings.
Key Changes
- 2026 employee rate set at 1.63% (a one-cent decrease from 2025); employers pay 1.4×
- Maximum insurable earnings confirmed at CAD 68,900
- The rate is designed to balance the EI Operating Account over seven years (to end of 2032)
- Premium Reduction Program to provide an estimated CAD 1.46 billion in relief to registered employers and employees in 2026
Impact
Sets the per-dollar premium cost of EI for employees and employers across Canada (and separately for Quebec) for 2026.
What to Watch
The annual rate-setting follows a legislated seven-year break-even process and is reviewed each year.
Pilot Project No. 24: Temporary EI Measures Begin
The Government introduced three temporary EI measures (SOR/2025-115) to improve access and entitlement for workers affected by tariffs, taking effect for claims from 30 March 2025.
Key Changes
- Waiving the one-week EI waiting period
- Suspending the treatment of monies paid on separation (severance, vacation pay)
- Temporarily adjusting EI regional unemployment rates by one percentage point, lowering the hours required to qualify to no more than 630
- Originally scheduled to end 11 October 2025, later extended by subsequent regulations
Impact
Improved access to regular benefits and faster payments for workers in tariff-affected sectors and regions.
What to Watch
The unemployment-rate adjustment was not extended past 11 October 2025; the other two measures were.
Employment Insurance — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about how EI works in Canada — eligibility, the benefit amount, duration, and premiums — verified against official Government of Canada guidance.
Important Disclaimer
For educational and informational purposes only. This calculator produces estimates of Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits based on the inputs provided and the Government of Canada 2026 figures — the 55% benefit rate, the CAD 68,900 maximum insurable earnings ceiling, the CAD 729 maximum weekly benefit, the best-weeks divisor by regional unemployment rate, and the 1.63% employee premium rate (1.30% for Quebec under QPIP). The calculator simplifies many aspects of EI and does not capture every situation, benefit type, or individual circumstance.
Estimates only — not an entitlement. The actual amount and duration of EI benefits are determined by Service Canada once your application is processed, using your specific insurable hours, best weeks of earnings, regional unemployment rate, and eligibility. Figures such as the estimated number of weeks payable are indicative and based on simplified assumptions; the official entitlement is set from a Service Canada hours-and-region table. Temporary measures (for example, a waived waiting period or extra weeks for long-tenured workers) apply only to claims established within specific windows and may change.
No warranty of accuracy. While Money Snap takes reasonable care to source figures from official authorities (Service Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and the Canada Revenue Agency), this calculator is provided "as is" without any express or implied warranty as to accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or fitness for any particular purpose. EI rates, thresholds, and rules change — figures shown may be out of date, and individual circumstances not captured by the inputs may materially affect the actual benefit.
Not financial advice. Information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Results do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice, and use of this calculator does not create an advisory relationship. Before acting on any figure shown, confirm your eligibility and benefit amount directly with Service Canada or use the official EI Benefits Estimator.
Limitation of liability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Money Snap accepts no liability for any loss, damage, cost, or expense — direct or indirect — arising from reliance on this calculator or the information it produces. Users are responsible for verifying all figures with the relevant authority before relying on them. Use of this calculator is subject to our Terms of Use.
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