EI benefits calculator
Estimate Employment Insurance benefit scenarios using income and eligibility assumptions.
Estimate Employment Insurance benefit scenarios using income and eligibility assumptions.
Estimate Employment Insurance benefit scenarios using income and eligibility assumptions.
Estimate your EI regular benefits for 2026 — weekly amount, bi-weekly deposit, and how many weeks you'll receive payments. Built on Service Canada's published formula and the 2026 Maximum Insurable Earnings of $65,700.
Full-time year-round ≈ 1,820 (35 × 52)
Look up your EI economic region rate at canada.ca/ei.
Weekly
$635
Bi-weekly deposit
$1,269
Weeks of eligibility
45
Total benefit over the entitlement period: $28,558 (before tax).
Employment Insurance pays 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, capped at $694/week in 2026. The cap is set by the Maximum Insurable Earnings (MIE) of $65,700 — which is the same earnings ceiling your EI premiums are calculated on. If your salary is above the MIE, you've maxed out both the contributions and the benefit.
Weeks of eligibility scale with two things: how many insurable hours you've accumulated in the past 52 weeks (the qualifying period), and your regional unemployment rate. Service Canada divides Canada into 62 EI economic regions. In a region with high unemployment (over 13%), you need only 420 hours to qualify and can collect for up to 45 weeks. In a low-unemployment region (under 6%), you need 700 hours and max out at 14 weeks.
EI is fully taxable income. Service Canada withholds tax at source based on your prior year's income. Use the income tax calculator to estimate the after-tax value of your benefits, and the severance pay calculator if you've been laid off.
Beyond regular benefits (this calculator), Service Canada also pays sickness benefits (15 weeks, same 55% rate), maternity (15 weeks), standard parental (40 weeks at 55%), and extended parental (69 weeks at 33%). Compassionate care, family caregiver, and self-employed special benefits round out the program.