What weekly Employment Insurance benefit might I receive?

For regular EI benefits, the basic benefit rate is generally 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to the annual maximum weekly amount. Your actual benefit can depend on insurable earnings and the rules applying to your claim.

Service Canada uses eligible insurable earnings and the number of best weeks required for your economic region to determine average weekly insurable earnings, then applies the benefit rate up to the maximum.

The 2026 maximum for regular EI benefits is $729 per week under the standard 55% benefit rate. Special or temporary measures can differ, so the claim type should always be confirmed.

For regular benefits, the number of weeks depends mainly on the unemployment rate in your EI economic region and the number of insurable hours accumulated during the qualifying period. Other EI benefit types have their own maximum durations.

Yes, in many situations, but employment earnings can reduce EI benefits under the Working While on Claim rules. Claimants must report earnings and hours worked accurately.