EI calculator: will you qualify, and how much will you get?
Most people who lose their job get 55% of their usual weekly pay, up to $729 a week, for 14 to 45 weeks. You need 420 to 700 hours of work in the last year, depending on where you live. Answer five questions to see your own estimate, using Service Canada's rules and this month's regional rates.
How we work it out
- Your region. Your postal code places you in one of 62 EI economic regions. Each has its own unemployment rate, updated every month.
- Hours needed. That rate sets the hours you need: 700 where unemployment is 6% or lower, down to 420 where it is above 13%.
- Weekly amount. EI adds up your pay in your best weeks (14 to 22 weeks, set by the rate), divides by that number of weeks and pays 55%, up to $729 a week in 2026 and $749 for claims starting in 2027.
- Number of weeks. Your hours and your region's rate give the weeks from Service Canada's table: 14 to 45. Long-tenured workers get up to 20 more weeks on claims starting by June 12, 2027.
We assume your pay was about the same each week. If some weeks paid more, your real amount can be higher, because EI uses your best weeks. Service Canada uses your Record of Employment, so its numbers win. For a second opinion, try Service Canada's own estimator.
Hours you need, by unemployment rate
| Regional unemployment rate | Hours needed | Best weeks used |
|---|---|---|
| 6% and under | 700 | 22 |
| 6.1% to 7% | 665 | 21 |
| 7.1% to 8% | 630 | 20 |
| 8.1% to 9% | 595 | 19 |
| 9.1% to 10% | 560 | 18 |
| 10.1% to 11% | 525 | 17 |
| 11.1% to 12% | 490 | 16 |
| 12.1% to 13% | 455 | 15 |
| More than 13% | 420 | 14 |
Rules in effect right now
- No waiting week for claims starting March 30, 2025 to October 9, 2027. Your first week is paid.
- Severance and vacation pay do not reduce EI for claims starting in the same period.
- Only your last job ending counts for claims starting October 11, 2026 to October 9, 2027. If you lost that job through no fault of your own, all your hours count.
- Up to 65 weeks for long-tenured workers on claims starting June 15, 2025 to June 12, 2027. That means you paid at least 30% of the yearly maximum EI premiums in at least 7 of the 10 years before your claim, and got fewer than 36 weeks of regular or fishing benefits in the 3 years before it. Service Canada adds the weeks for you.
- Paying back at tax time: if your net income for 2026 is over $86,125, you may repay 30% of your regular benefits or of the income above that, whichever is less. If you got less than 1 week of regular benefits in the 10 years before, you repay nothing. Details
- Family supplement: if your family's net income is $25,921 or less, you have children and get the Canada Child Benefit, EI can pay up to 80% instead of 55%.
Source: EI temporary measures, benefit amount.
Other kinds of EI
This calculator covers regular benefits for people who lost their job. If you cannot work because you are sick, pregnant, caring for a new child or caring for someone who is very ill, see sickness benefits, maternity and parental benefits or caregiving benefits.
Quick answers
Common questions
How many hours do I need to qualify for EI?
Between 420 and 700 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate in your EI region. In Toronto, claims starting November 8 to December 5, 2026 need 630 hours.
How much does EI pay?
EI regular benefits pay 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings, up to $729 a week for claims starting in 2026 and $749 for claims starting in 2027.
How long does EI last?
From 14 to 45 weeks, depending on your hours and your region's unemployment rate. Long-tenured workers can get up to 65 weeks on claims starting by June 12, 2027.
Is there a one-week waiting period for EI?
Not right now. The unpaid waiting week is waived for claims starting March 30, 2025 to October 9, 2027.
When should I apply for EI?
Right after your last day of work. If you apply more than 4 weeks after it, you may lose benefits. Do not wait for your Record of Employment.
Can I get EI if I quit or was fired?
If you quit, only with just cause, meaning you had no reasonable choice. If you were fired, yes, unless it was for misconduct. For claims starting October 11, 2026 to October 9, 2027, only the reason your last job ended is reviewed.
Can I work part-time while on EI?
Yes. You keep 50 cents of EI for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of the weekly earnings your EI was based on. Above that, EI is cut dollar for dollar.
Is EI taxable?
Yes. EI is taxable income. Federal and provincial or territorial tax, where it applies, is taken off each payment.
Will I have to pay EI back at tax time?
Only if your net income for 2026 is more than $86,125. Then you repay 30% of your regular benefits or of the income above $86,125, whichever is less. You repay nothing if you got less than 1 week of regular benefits in the 10 tax years before.
Sources
Rules checked against Service Canada on November 14, 2026. Regional unemployment rates are for November 8 to December 5, 2026, from Service Canada's EI economic region pages. They change every month.
- EI regular benefits: eligibility, page dated October 15, 2026
- EI regular benefits: how much you could receive, page dated October 19, 2026
- EI temporary measures for major economic conditions, page dated October 6, 2026
- EI regular benefits: how to apply, page dated October 19, 2026
- EI regular benefits: while you are receiving benefits, page dated October 19, 2026
- EI and repayment of benefits at income tax time, page dated December 31, 2025
- Summary of the 2027 Actuarial Report on the EI premium rate, page dated September 17, 2026
- Employment Insurance Regulations, Schedule I (EI regions)
- Find your EI economic region by postal code
This is an estimate, not a decision by Service Canada. Only Service Canada can decide your claim. We do not save anything you enter.