Employment Insurance (EI)

Canada offers employees Employment Insurance or E.I. benefits. This provides temporary financial assistance to employees who are either laid off, sick, pregnant or caring for a newborn child or adopted child as well as those who must care for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death.

The majority of EI claims are for those who are laid off, maternity leave or who those who have suffered a serious injury or sickness. Receiving EI benefit is not a reason to stay unemployed.

The payment is determined by the nature of the unemployment. For example, if you lose your job due to no fault of your own such as shortage of work or seasonal or mass lay-offs and you are able to work but unable to find a job, you may be able to qualify for EI. You don't get paid EI if you quit your job without just cause or being fired for misconduct.

The benefit period can be paid from 14 to a maximum of 45 weeks and there is a qualifying period. The regular benefit amount is 55% of your average insured earnings up to a maximum of $413 per week. EI income is a taxable income, so federal and provincial taxes will be deducted if it applies.

Employees are also entitled to maternity, parental or sickness benefits and there are other kinds of benefits available depending on the situation.

Employees pay the EI premium and the premium is deducted from their salary automatically. The premium for EI can be found in the following website.

There are certain responsibilities that is required if you are receiving EI. For example, you must be willing and able to work at all times, you must be actively looking for work and keep a record of employers you contact and when you contacted them, etc.

For more information regarding Employement Insurance (EI), visit the Human Resources and Social Development Canada website.