EI regular benefits: How much you could receive

How much you could receive

You could get up to 55% of your earnings

We can't tell you exactly how much you'll receive before we process your application. For most people, the basic rate for calculating Employment Insurance (EI) benefits is 55% of their average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount. As of January 1, 2024, the maximum yearly insurable earnings amount is $63,200. This means that you can receive a maximum amount of $668 per week.

Insurable earnings include most of the different types of compensation from employment, such as wages, tips, bonuses and commissions. The Canada Revenue Agency determines what types of earnings are insurable.

You can get benefits for up to a maximum of 45 weeks

You can receive EI from 14 weeks up to a maximum of 45 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate in your region at the time of filing your claim and the amount of insurable hours you've accumulated in the last 52 weeks or since your last claim, whichever is shorter.

Seasonal workers

If you’re a seasonal worker, you may be eligible for additional weeks of regular benefits, up to a maximum of 45 weeks.

Number of weeks of EI regular benefits payable by regional rate of unemployment

Number of hours of insurable employment	6% and less	6.1% to 7.0%	7.1% to 8.0%	8.1% to 9.0%	9.1% to 10.0%	10.1% to 11.0%	11.1% to 12.0%	12.1% to 13.0%	13.1% to 14.0%	14.1% to 15.0%	15.1% to 16.0%	16% and more
420 to 454	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	26	28	30	32
455 to 489	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	24	26	28	30	32
490 to 524	0	0	0	0	0	0	23	25	27	29	31	33
525 to 559	0	0	0	0	0	21	23	25	27	29	31	33
560 to 594	0	0	0	0	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34
595 to 629	0	0	0	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34
630 to 664	0	0	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35
665 to 699	0	15	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35
700 to 734	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36
735 to 769	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36
770 to 804	15	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37
805 to 839	15	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37
840 to 874	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38
875 to 909	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38
910 to 944	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39
945 to 979	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39
980 to 1,014	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
1,015 to 1,049	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
1,050 to 1,084	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41
1,085 to 1,119	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41
1,120 to 1,154	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42
1,155 to 1,189	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42
1,190 to 1,224	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43
1,225 to 1,259	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43
1,260 to 1,294	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
1,295 to 1,329	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
1,330 to 1,364	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45
1,365 to 1,399	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45
1,400 to 1,434	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45
1,435 to 1,469	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45
1,470 to 1,504	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45
1,505 to 1,539	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45
1,540 to 1,574	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45
1,575 to 1,609	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45
1,610 to 1,644	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45
1,645 to 1,679	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45
1,680 to 1,714	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45
1,715 to 1,749	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45
1,750 to 1,784	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45	45
1,785 to 1,819	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
1,820 and more	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45	45	45

The number of weeks for which you may receive benefits doesn’t change if you move to another region after your benefit period begins.

How we calculate your weekly benefit amount

The amount of weekly benefits is calculated as follows:

we calculate your total insurable earnings for the required number of best weeks (the weeks that you earned the most money, including insurable tips and commissions) based on the information you provide and/or your record(s) of employment
we determine the divisor (number of best weeks) that corresponds to your regional rate of unemployment
we divide your total insurable earnings for your best weeks by your required number of best weeks
we then multiply the result by 55% to obtain the amount of your weekly benefits

In regions of Canada with the highest rates of unemployment, we’ll calculate using the best 14 weeks. In regions of Canada with the lowest rates of unemployment, we’ll use the best 22 weeks. In other regions, the number of weeks used to calculate benefits will be somewhere between 14 and 22, depending on the unemployment rate in those regions.

Calculation

Total insurable earnings for the required number of best weeks
divided by Required number of best weeks
times by 55 %
equals Weekly EI benefit (maximum $668)

**Required number of best weeks by regional rate of unemployment**
Regional rate of unemployment	Required weeks
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

To find out the rate of unemployment in your region, visit EI Program Characteristics.

Once the weekly benefit rate is established, it will remain unchanged over the life of your claim.

If your net family income is $25,921 or less

If your net family income doesn’t exceed $25,921 per year, you have children and you or your spouse receives the Canada Child 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
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 1 of you can receive the family supplement. It is generally better for the spouse with the lower benefit rate to receive the supplement.

As your income level rises, the Family Supplement gradually decreases, so that when the maximum income of $25,921 is reached no supplement is payable.

Taxes are deducted from EI payments

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

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.

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Date modified:: 2024-10-24

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