Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits

Temporary income from the Government of Canada for people who lost their job through no fault of their own, such as a shortage of work or a layoff, and are ready to work but cannot find a job.

Program in Canada-wide. Government benefits Money, grants & charity Jobs & careers

When: Apply as soon as you stop working: if you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. While on EI you must complete reports every 2 weeks.

How to reach them

1. Go to their application form.
2. Say who you are and what you are offering or asking.
3. Come back here and tell us if they answered.

Other ways, if that one is quiet

• PhoneGo to the phone line
  It workedNo answer

• PhoneCall 1-800-206-7218
  It workedNo answer

Where else they are

Their website is canada.ca/.../ei-regular-benefit.html.

Good to know

• For whomWorkers who lost their job through no fault of their own, worked 420 to 700 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks (depending on the unemployment rate where they live) and have been without work and pay for at least 7 days in a row; it pays 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026, for 14 to 45 weeks.
• CostFree
• LanguagesEnglish, French
• Their stepsGather your Social Insurance Number, the last name at birth of one parent, your addresses with postal codes, your bank transit and account numbers, and each employer's name, address, dates and reason you left. Get your Record of Employment (ROE) from each employer. Apply online from the EI regular benefits Apply page right away, no later than 4 weeks after your last day of work. Once approved, complete your EI report every 2 weeks (online or by phone at 1-800-531-7555) and keep a written record of employers you contact.

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