Estimate your weekly Employment Insurance payment and the total for your benefit period — regular, sickness, maternity or parental — using the 2026 maximums.
Weekly benefit (before tax)$660.0055.00000000000001% up to $729
Total for 26 weeks
$17,160
Every two weeks
$1,320
Maximum weekly benefit
$7292026
Average insurable weekly earningscapped at $1325.00 (maximum insurable earnings $68,900 ÷ 52)
$1,200.00
Benefit rate
55.0%
Weekly benefit
$660.00
EI benefits are taxable income. Federal and provincial tax is withheld from each payment; EI premiums are not.
There is usually a one-week waiting period before benefits start. Families with net income under $25,921 may get a Family Supplement on top.
This is an estimate based on published rates, not tax or financial advice. Your payslip or assessment may differ. We are an independent site, not affiliated with any government agency.
How EI is calculated
Average insurable weekly earnings: your highest-earning weeks in the qualifying period (the “best weeks”, 14 to 22 depending on your region), divided by that number of weeks.
Benefit rate: 55% for regular, sickness, maternity and standard parental benefits; 33% for extended parental benefits.
Maximum: insurable earnings are capped at $68,900 a year in 2026, so the weekly benefit is capped at $729 (or $437 for extended parental).
Worked example: $1,200 a week
Average insurable earnings $1,200 a week, 26 weeks of regular benefits
55% of $1,200 is $660 a week, under the $729 maximum. Over 26 weeks that is $17,160 before tax.
Weekly benefit (before tax)$660.0055.00000000000001% up to $729
Total for 26 weeks
$17,160
Every two weeks
$1,320
Maximum weekly benefit
$7292026
Average insurable weekly earningscapped at $1325.00 (maximum insurable earnings $68,900 ÷ 52)
$1,200.00
Benefit rate
55.0%
Weekly benefit
$660.00
Anyone earning more than about $1,325 a week ($68,900 a year) receives the maximum $729.
What changed in 2026
Maximum insurable earnings rose from $65,700 to $68,900, lifting the maximum weekly benefit from $695 to $729 and the extended parental maximum from $417 to $437. The employee premium rate fell to 1.63% (1.30% in Quebec, where QPIP pays maternity and parental benefits instead).
Tips
Apply right away after your last day — even before you get your Record of Employment — so you don’t lose weeks.
Report earnings while on claim: you keep 50 cents of benefits for every dollar earned, up to 90% of previous weekly earnings.
Quebec residents claim maternity and parental benefits from QPIP, which has higher rates and maximums.
Questions people ask
How much is EI in 2026?
55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week for claims starting on or after 28 December 2025.
How long can I receive regular EI?
Between 14 and 45 weeks, depending on the unemployment rate in your region and how many insurable hours you worked in the qualifying period.
How much do I need to have worked?
Usually between 420 and 700 hours of insurable employment in the last 52 weeks, depending on your region. Special benefits need 600 hours.
Is EI taxable?
Yes. Tax is withheld from each payment and the benefits appear on a T4E slip.
What is extended parental leave?
Instead of 55% for up to 35 weeks (one parent), you can choose 33% for up to 61 weeks, with a maximum of $437 a week in 2026.
This is an estimate based on published rates, not tax or financial advice. Your payslip or assessment may differ. We are an independent site, not affiliated with any government agency. Read the full disclaimer.
