Types of Benefits

Regular Benefits

These benefits are paid to those who through no fault of their own find themselves out of a job.

If you qualify for regular benefits you:

Must be ready, willing and capable of working each day of your claim
Are considered to be a ‘regular applicant’ and have worked from 420 hours to 700 hours (depending on the region in which you live) in the last 52 weeks or up to your last EI claim.

Or
Are a New Entrants Re-Entrant (NERE) applicant and have worked 910 hours in the last 52

weeks or up to your last EI claim.

Rights and Responsibilities:

New Entrants Re-Entrants (NERE) into the work force need 910 hours to qualify for benefits no matter where they live in Canada
Are entitled to receive from 19 weeks to 50 weeks of benefits depending on the amount of hours you have worked and the region in which you live
Most claimants will receive 55% of there average earnings with the maximum per week being $447 before taxes
Low income earners with a family income of less than $25,921 and who receive the Child Tax Benefit may be eligible for an increased benefits rate (Family Supplement)
Can earn 40% of their benefit rate or $75 each week; whichever is higher.

(You must report all earnings, before deductions to Employment Insurance)

Special Benefits

Sick Benefits

These benefits are available for those who are ill or injured and unable to work at any type of employment. In order to qualify you must:

Have worked 600 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks or up to your last EI claim.

Provide a medical certificate filled out by a physician in dictating the first day you became ill, the expected date of recovery and the nature of the illness or injury.

If you qualify for sickness benefits you:

Are entitled to receive up to 15 paid weeks of sickness benefits (plus a two week unpaid waiting period, in most cases)
While on claim you do not need to seek employment
You will receive 55% of your average insurable earnings with the maximum per week being $447 before taxes

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Maternity Benefits

These benefits are available for women who are pregnant or who have given birth.
In order to qualify you must:

Have worked 600 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks or up to your last EI claim.
Provide a medical certificate filled out by a physician proving you are pregnant and the expected birth date of the child

Rights and Responsibilities:

Can apply as early as 10 weeks before the birth date of the child (this includes the two week unpaid waiting period) but should apply no later than the birth of the child
Are entitled to receive up to 15 paid weeks of maternity benefits
Do not need to be available to take a job or seek employment while on claim
Will receive 55% of your average insurable earnings with the maximum per week being $447 before taxes
Earning during this period are deducted dollar for dollar

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Parental Benefits

These benefits are available for biological and adoptive parents to care for one or more newborn children or one or more children placed with the claimant for the purpose of adoption.

In order to qualify you must:

Have worked 600 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks or up to your last EI claim.
Provide poof of the birth of the child or placement of the child in the home for the purpose of adoption.

Rights and Responsibilities:

Can apply as early as the birth date of the child or the actual date of placement of the child in the home for adoption
Are entitled to receive up to 35 paid weeks of parental benefits (plus a two week unpaid waiting period)
Do not need to be available to take a job or seek employment while on claim
Will receive 55% of your average insurable earnings with the maximum per week being $447 before taxes
Can earn 40% of their benefit rate or $75 each week; whichever is higher.

(You must report all earnings, before deductions to Employment Insurance)

Parental benefits can be used by one parent or shared by two parents and may run concurrently

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Compassionate Care Benefits

These benefits are paid to persons 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 within 6 months.

In order to qualify you must:

Have worked 600 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks or up to your last EI claim.
Provide a medical certificate filled out by a physician
You must be 'like family' to the ill person

Rights and Responsibilities:

Two or more 'like family' members may share the 6 weeks of compassionate care benefits (plus a two week unpaid waiting period)
Do not need to be available to take a job or seek employment while on claim
Will receive 55% of your average insurable earnings with the maximum per week being $446 before taxes
Can earn 40% of their benefit rate or $75 each week; whichever is higher.

(You must report all earnings, before deductions to Employment Insurance)