Employment Insurance · 2026
EI Benefits Calculator
Estimate your weekly EI payment for job loss, sickness, maternity or parental leave.
Estimated EI benefit (before tax)
$529 / week
$1,058 per payment (paid every two weeks)
How long
14 to 45 weeks
Total if paid in full
$7,406 to $23,805
Maximum for 2026: $729 a week (55% of earnings up to $68,900).
In Quebec, maternity and parental benefits are paid by the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), not EI. QPIP pays up to 75% of earnings, with different rules; apply through the Quebec government.
EI Benefits at a Glance (2026)
Maximum insurable earnings: $68,900 a year.
| Benefit | Rate | Max per week | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular (job loss) | 55% | $729 | 14 to 45 weeks |
| Sickness | 55% | $729 | Up to 26 weeks |
| Maternity | 55% | $729 | Up to 15 weeks |
| Standard parental | 55% | $729 | Up to 35 weeks (40 if shared) |
| Extended parental | 33% | $437 | Up to 61 weeks (69 if shared) |
| Compassionate care | 55% | $729 | Up to 26 weeks (shared) |
How EI Benefits Are Calculated
Most EI benefits pay 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings, up to a maximum. For 2026, earnings count up to $68,900 a year, so the most you can get is $729 a week. Extended parental benefits pay 33%, up to $437 a week, but over a longer period.
Example: you earned $50,000 last year. $50,000 ÷ 52 = $961.54 a week; 55% of that is about $529 a week, or $1,058 every two weeks.
Service Canada actually uses your best weeks of earnings in the last year (14 to 22 weeks, depending on your region's unemployment rate), so your real amount can differ a little from this estimate. There is a one-week waiting period at the start of a claim, and EI benefits are taxable: tax is deducted from each payment.
Low-income families with children (family net income up to about $25,921) may get a Family Supplement on top.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum EI benefit in 2026?
$729 a week for regular, sickness, maternity, standard parental and compassionate care benefits, and $437 a week for extended parental benefits.
How long does EI last?
Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks, depending on your region's unemployment rate and hours worked. Sickness benefits last up to 26 weeks, maternity up to 15, and parental up to 35 (standard) or 61 (extended) weeks for one parent.
Are EI benefits taxable?
Yes. EI is taxable income and tax is deducted from each payment. You get a T4E slip for your tax return.
How many hours do I need to qualify for EI?
For regular benefits, usually 420 to 700 insured hours in the last 52 weeks, depending on your region. Special benefits (sickness, maternity, parental, caregiving) need 600 hours.
Can I get EI maternity benefits in Quebec?
No. Quebec pays maternity and parental benefits through QPIP instead of EI.
Figures for 2026. Sources: EI (canada.ca). Estimates for planning, not tax advice.
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