Employment Insurance (EI)

Provides temporary financial assistance for unemployed Canadians who have paid into the EI account and lost their job through no fault of their own. Maternity and Parental Benefits assist individuals who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child, or are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child; Sickness Benefits assist individuals who are unable to work because of sickness, injury, or quarantine; Caregiving Benefits and Leave assist those who must care for a family member who is seriously ill with significant risk of death; Benefits for the Self-Employed assist individuals who are self-employed; Benefits for Canadians Living Abroad including pensions and employment are for those who live and work outside Canada; and Fishing Benefits assist individuals who are self-employed in fishing. Applications can be made online or at any Service Canada Centre.

Coronavirus and EI Sickness Benefits: The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim. Individuals claiming EI sickness benefits due to quarantines will not have to provide a medical certificate. People who cannot complete their claim for EI sickness benefits due to quarantine may apply later and have their EI claim backdated to cover the period of delay. Contact the dedicated toll-free number if in quarantine and seeking to waive the waiting period: 1-833-381-2725, 1-800-529-3742 (TTY).