Everything you need to know about EI in 2025: how much you'll receive, how many hours you need, how to apply, and all types of EI benefits available.
| Parameter | 2025 Amount |
|---|---|
| EI benefit rate | 55% of average insurable weekly earnings |
| Maximum insurable earnings | $63,200/year |
| Maximum weekly EI benefit | $668/week |
| Employee EI premium rate | $1.64 per $100 of insurable earnings |
| Maximum annual employee premium | $1,077.48 |
| Low-income family supplement | Up to 80% of insurable earnings (for families with income under $25,921) |
Your EI weekly benefit is calculated as 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings over the best 14–22 weeks in your qualifying period (typically the last 52 weeks).
Weekly EI = (Total insurable earnings ÷ divisor weeks) × 55%
The divisor varies by your regional unemployment rate — in higher-unemployment regions you use fewer weeks (14), which can result in a higher weekly average.
| Annual Salary | Weekly Earnings | EI Weekly (55%) |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $769 | $423/week |
| $55,000 | $1,058 | $582/week |
| $63,200 or more | $1,215+ | $668/week (max) |
To qualify for regular EI benefits, you must have accumulated enough insurable hours in the past 52 weeks. The required hours depend on the unemployment rate in your region:
| Regional Unemployment Rate | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| 6% or less | 700 hours |
| 6.1% – 7% | 665 hours |
| 7.1% – 8% | 630 hours |
| 8.1% – 9% | 595 hours |
| 9.1% – 10% | 560 hours |
| 10.1% – 11% | 525 hours |
| 11.1% – 12% | 490 hours |
| 12.1% – 13% | 455 hours |
| Over 13% | 420 hours |
New entrants and re-entrants: If you are entering the workforce for the first time or have not used EI in the past 10 years, you need 910 insurable hours regardless of regional unemployment rate.
| Benefit Type | Duration | Rate | Who It's For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular EI | 14–45 weeks | 55% | Job loss, layoff |
| Maternity | 15 weeks | 55% | Biological mother, pre/post birth |
| Parental (standard) | 35 weeks | 55% | Parents, shared between parents |
| Parental (extended) | 61 weeks | 33% | Parents wanting longer leave |
| Sickness | 15 weeks | 55% | Illness, injury, quarantine |
| Compassionate care | 26 weeks | 55% | Caring for gravely ill family member |
| Family caregiver (adult) | 15 weeks | 55% | Caring for critically ill adult |
| Family caregiver (child) | 35 weeks | 55% | Caring for critically ill child |
When your EI payment arrives, make sure it lands in an account with no fees. KOHO is free, earns cash back, and has tools to help you budget your benefits. Use code 45ET55JSYA for a bonus.
Get KOHO Free — Use Code 45ET55JSYAApply through My Service Canada Account at canada.ca. Do not wait — apply within 4 weeks of your last day of work. Late applications may result in lost benefits if you delay more than 4 weeks without good cause.
There is a mandatory 1-week waiting period before EI benefits begin. You will not receive payment for this first week — it functions like a deductible.
Once approved, you must submit a report every two weeks confirming you were available for work, whether you worked or earned any money, and any training or courses you attended.