Are you eligible for the Wage Earner Protection Program
The Government of Canada’s Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) provides timely payment to employees who are owed wages when their employer goes bankrupt, enters receivership, or undergoes a qualifying insolvency proceeding.
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What WEPP covers
- Wages, commissions, production bonuses, shift premiums, and gratuities reported by the employer, business expenses for travelling salespeople and, accrued vacation pay
- Termination and severance pay
How much you could get
One-time payment equivalent to up to 7 weeks of Employment Insurance maximum insurable earnings. In 2025, the maximum payment is $8,844.22 and is revised annually.
Who can apply
To qualify, you must:
- have lost your job
- be owed wages from an insolvent employer and
- have earned wages within the eligibility period (6 months before insolvency)
How to apply
- Submit a proof of claim to the trustee or receiver managing the insolvency
- Apply online or in person at a Service Canada Centre
Need help? For more information, visit the Service Canada website.