How much you could receive

We can't tell you exactly how much you'll receive without having processed your application.

Calculation of benefits

To calculate your weekly Employment Insurance (EI) fishing benefit, we consider your total earnings during your qualifying period. The earliest start date of the qualifying period is the week of March 1 for summer fishing or September 1 for winter fishing.

This is how we calculate your weekly benefit:

1. we determine your total self-employment earnings from fishing during your qualifying period—the last 31 weeks or from the start date of your last claim for EI benefits (we use the total earnings from the shorter period)
2. we determine the rate of unemployment in your region and select the divisor that applies at that rate of unemployment (refer to the table Divisors used to calculate benefits)
3. we divide your total self-employment earnings from fishing during your qualifying period by the applicable divisor. This gives us your weekly insurable earnings from self-employment in fishing
4. if you have earnings from employment other than as a self-employed fisher, we calculate your total earnings from the last 26 weeks of that other employment, using only the weeks contained in the fishing qualifying period. We divide this amount by the applicable divisor or by the number of weeks worked, whichever is greater. This gives us your weekly insurable earnings from regular employment
5. we add the results from Steps 3 and 4 together to find your total weekly insurable earnings
6. we compare your total weekly insurable earnings with the allowed maximum weekly amount, and we select the lower figure. The maximum weekly amount can vary from year to year and is based on the maximum insurable earnings for the calendar year
7. we multiply that lower figure by 55% to obtain the amount of your weekly benefit

Divisors used to calculate benefits

Regional rate of unemployment	Minimum divisor
6% or less	22
6.1% to 7%	21
7.1% to 8%	20
8.1% to 9%	19
9.1% to 10%	18
10.1% to 11%	17
11.1% to 12%	16
12.1% to 13%	15
13.1% or more	14

Example 1

In 2026, John earns $9,865 from self-employment in fishing during his qualifying period of 31 weeks. The rate of unemployment in his region is 11.5%, which means the divisor is 16. Dividing his fishing earnings of $9,865 by 16 gives him weekly insurable earnings of $616.56. This amount is lower than the maximum weekly amount, which is $1,325 in 2026. His weekly benefit rate is therefore $339 [($9,865 ÷ 16) × 55%].

Example 2

In 2026, Simu earns $24,800 from self-employment in fishing during his qualifying period of 31 weeks. The rate of unemployment in his region is 8.8%, which means the divisor is 19. Dividing his fishing earnings of $24,800 by 19 gives him weekly insurable earnings of $1,305.26.

Simu also works in other insurable employment during his 31-week fishing qualifying period. He works a total of 480 hours and earns $12,000. Although he doesn't have enough insurable hours to qualify for regular benefits, we can include his insurable earnings in the calculation of his fishing benefit rate. Dividing his insurable earnings of $12,000 by 19 gives him weekly insurable earnings of $631.58.

We calculate Simu's total weekly insurable earnings as follows:

• fishing weekly earnings: $1,305.26
• other insurable weekly earnings: $631.58
• total weekly earnings: $1,936.84

When the other insurable earnings are added to the fishing earnings, the total is greater than the maximum weekly amount of $1,325 per week. Since Simu's combined earnings exceed the maximum weekly amount for 2026, we use the maximum weekly amount to calculate his benefit rate. Simu's weekly benefit rate is therefore $729 ($1,325 × 55%).

Note

The maximum weekly amount is based on the yearly maximum insurable earnings amount. In 2026, the yearly maximum insurable earnings amount is $68,900. The maximum weekly amount for 2026 is calculated by dividing $68,900 by 52 weeks. This means the maximum weekly amount for 2026 is $1,325.

Family supplement

If your net family income doesn't exceed $25,921 per year, you have children and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit, you're considered a member of a low-income family. Therefore, you may be eligible to receive the EI family supplement.

The family supplement rate is based on your net family income up to a maximum of $25,921 per year and the number of children in the family and their ages.

The family supplement may increase your benefit rate up to 80% of your average insurable earnings. If you and your spouse claim EI benefits at the same time, only one of you can receive the family supplement. It is generally better for the spouse with the lower benefit rate to receive the supplement.

If your income increases, the family supplement will gradually decrease. If you go over the maximum income of $25,921, you'll no longer receive the supplement.

Taxable EI benefits

EI benefits are taxable, no matter what type of benefits you receive. Federal and provincial or territorial taxes, where applicable, will therefore be deducted from your payment. 

Benefit duration

If you qualify for fishing benefits, you may receive up to 26 weeks of benefits within a period of 37 or 38 weeks, depending on the day of the week on which April 1 or October 1 falls. This period is called the benefit period.

Benefit period

The benefit period for a winter claim can start as early as the week of April 1 and must end no later than the week of December 15.

The benefit period for a summer claim can start as early as the week of October 1 and must end no later than the week of June 15.

The benefit period can be extended to a maximum of 52 weeks if you're claiming EI special benefits such as sickness benefits. The benefit period is extended by one week for each week of special benefits claimed.

Estimate your benefits

Try the EI Benefits Estimator before you apply to check if these benefits are right for you and how much you could receive.