Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary income support to Canadians who lose their job through no fault of their own, or who need to take time off for parental leave, illness, or to care for a family member. In 2025, the maximum weekly EI benefit is $695 (55% of insurable earnings up to the annual maximum insurable earnings of $65,700). Use our free calculator below.
| Parameter | 2025 Amount |
|---|---|
| Maximum insurable earnings | $65,700/year |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $695 |
| Benefit rate (regular) | 55% of average insurable weekly earnings |
| Employee EI premium rate | 1.64% of insurable earnings |
| Maximum annual employee premium | $1,077.48 |
| Employer premium rate | 2.296% (1.4x employee rate) |
| Waiting period | 1 week (claimant pays) |
| Maximum benefit duration (regular) | 14–45 weeks depending on region |
Your EI benefit amount is calculated as 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings over the best weeks in the qualifying period (52 weeks or since your last claim). The number of "best weeks" used ranges from 14 to 22 depending on your region's unemployment rate — the higher the unemployment, the fewer best weeks are used (making your average higher).
Low-income claimants (family net income under $25,921) with dependent children may receive a Family Supplement, increasing the rate to up to 80% of insurable earnings.
The number of insurable hours required depends on where you live:
| Regional Unemployment Rate | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Less than 6% | 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 |
| More than 13% | 420 hours |
New entrants and re-entrants to the labour force (less than 490 hours in the last 52 weeks before the qualifying period) require 910 hours to qualify for regular EI.
Self-employed Canadians can voluntarily opt into EI to access maternity, parental, sickness, and caregiving benefits. You must register at least one year before making a claim and pay the self-employed person's EI premium rate on your net self-employment income.
Most employment in Canada is insurable, including:
Self-employed individuals are generally not eligible unless they have opted in voluntarily. Certain arm's-length family employment may require special review.
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