Employment Insurance benefits and leave

Employment Insurance (EI) benefits and leave information for workers, families, fishers and sickness, how to apply and how to submit a report.

Labour disruption

During the current labour disruption, Employment Insurance is deemed an essential service and is maintained – this includes the Work-Sharing Program. Payments would continue to be issued to clients.

While we expect there may be some processing delays and increased wait times in call centres, Service Canada is working to minimize impacts to service standards and answer client enquiries and calls in a timely manner.

For more information on services impacted, please visit Labour disruption impacts at Employment and Social Development Canada and Service Canada.

Your mail from Service Canada

Service Canada usually sends mail in beige envelopes. However, temporarily, we may send you mail in white envelopes. Your payments will not be affected.

Confirm if Service Canada contacted you

Services and information

Regular benefits

Apply for benefits if you have lost your job through no fault of your own.

Sickness benefits

Apply if you are unable to work due to illness, injury or quarantine.

Maternity and parental benefits

Apply if you're pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child or are caring for a newborn.

Caregiving benefits and leave

Apply if you are providing care or support to a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care.

Benefits for the self-employed

Get information on the self-employed program and find out how to register.

Benefits for Canadians living abroad

If you live or work outside of Canada, get information on Employment Insurance, pensions, benefits and taxes.

Fishing benefits

Apply for benefits if you are a self-employed fisher who is actively seeking work.

Find a job

Find public and private sector job opportunities if you lost your job, apply or extend a work permit, get a social insurance number, a criminal record check or a security clearance.

Employment Insurance information for employers

Employers' EI responsibilities, records of employment and instructions on completing the ROE form during COVID-19, EI premiums and other resources.

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