Details of the Government of Canada's plans to transition to a simplified Employment Insurance (EI) program.
Latest Update - March 18th, 2021: Workers claiming EI regular benefits can now access up to a maximum of 50 weeks for claims established between September 27th, 2020 to September 25th, 2021.
In addition, self-employed workers who have opted in to the EI program to access special benefits are now able to use a 2020 earnings threshold of $5,000, compared to the previous threshold of $7,555. This change is retroactive for claims established as of January 3rd, 2021 and applies until September 25th, 2021.
Eligibility
As of September 27th, 2020 you may be eligible for EI if you:
- Were employed for at least 120 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks
- Received the CERB, the 52 week period to accumulate insured hours will be extended
- Stopped working through no fault of your own
- Have not quit your job voluntarily
- Are ready, willing and capable of working each day (EI regular benefits)
- Are temporarily unable to work while you care for someone else or yourself (EI maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care, and family caregiver benefits)
What if I am not eligible for EI?
If you are not eligible for EI, you may be eligible for these new benefits:
- Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
- Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
- Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
