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Employment Insurance
Did you know?
You may be eligible for new EI measures created to extend the eligibility period for Employment Insurance parental benefits for Military Families. See What’s new for more information.
Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary financial assistance to unemployed Canadians who have lost their job through no fault of their own, while they look for work or upgrade their skills.
Canadians who are sick, pregnant, or caring for a newborn or adopted child, as well as those who must care for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death, may also be assisted by Employment Insurance.
Types of Employment Insurance benefits
There are several types of benefits available to Canadians, depending on their situation.
Applying for EI
Online services
Submit your EI reports online that demonstrate your continuing entitlement using the Internet Reporting Service.
Access all your EI information, including electronic Records of Employment and T4E tax slips, in one place through My Service Canada Account.
Employers: Submit Records of Employment on the Web.
- Employment Insurance Regular Benefits
are available to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own (for example, due to shortage of work, seasonal layoffs, or mass layoffs) and who are available for and able to work, but can’t find a job. - Employment Insurance Maternity and Parental Benefits
provide support to individuals who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child, or are caring for a newborn. - Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits
are for individuals who are unable to work because of sickness, injury, or quarantine. - Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits
are available to people who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death. - Employment Insurance Fishing Benefits
provide support to qualifying, self-employed fishers who are actively seeking work.
Related information
- Extension of Eligibility Period for Employment Insurance Parental Benefits for Military Families
- If your parental leave has been deferred or interrupted because of an imperative military requirement, the parental eligibility period during which Employment Insurance (EI) parental benefit can be paid may be extended by one week for every week that you are unable to collect EI parental benefits
- Employment Insurance Benefits for Self-Employed Persons
- Self-employed Canadians can register to be eligible to receive EI special benefits, which include maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits, beginning in January 2011.
- Extension of EI Regular Benefits for Long-Tenured Workers
- EI eligible long-tenured workers may be eligible to additional benefits if they have contributed to the Employment Insurance (EI) program for a significant period of time and have previously made limited use of EI regular benefits.
- Career Transition Assistance
- Career Transition Assistance initiatives are now available to help workers renew or upgrade their skills while they’re receiving Employment Insurance regular benefits.
- Employment Insurance and Workers and/or Residents Outside Canada
- Certain individuals who reside outside Canada may be eligible for EI if their job is insured under Canada’s EI program.
- Employment Insurance Family Supplement
- The EI Family Supplement provides additional benefits to low-income families with children.
- Employment Insurance Information for Employers
- Find information about Records of Employment, programs to assist employers, help for employers to protect the EI fund, and more.
- Contact Employment Insurance
- Find answers to frequently asked questions, and how to contact Employment Insurance representatives by telephone, by mail, or in person.
- Appealing an Employment Insurance Decision
- You can appeal a decision concerning your EI claim for benefits. Find information on how to file and prepare for an appeal.
- Employment Insurance Act and Regulations
- Read the Employment Insurance Act and Regulations, as well as past amendments.
- Employment Insurance Digest of Benefit Entitlement Principles
- The Digest of Entitlement Principles contains the principles applied by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada when making decisions on claims for benefits under the EI legislation. See also:
- Digest Publications and Amendments
- Index of Jurisprudence
- Jurisprudence Library
