EI Calculator Canada — Estimate Your Employment Insurance Benefits
Calculate your Employment Insurance benefits in Canada. See weekly benefit amount maximum payment duration and how your insurable earnings affect your EI.
Employment Insurance provides temporary income support to Canadian workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. EI pays 55% of your average insurable earnings up to a maximum of $668 per week (based on the 2026 maximum insurable earnings of $63200). Benefits last 14 to 45 weeks depending on the unemployment rate in your region and how many insurable hours you accumulated.
Calculate Now
Key Information
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| EI Benefit Rate | 55% of average insurable earnings |
| Maximum Weekly Benefit | $668/week (2026) |
| Minimum Insurable Hours | 420-700 hours (varies by region) |
| Maximum Benefit Duration | 14-45 weeks |
Estimate your EI benefits
Get accurate results instantly — 100% free, no signup required
Use Calculator NowFrequently Asked Questions
How much EI will I receive?
EI pays 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings up to the maximum. If you earned $1000/week your EI benefit is $550/week. If you earned $1500/week your benefit is capped at $668/week (the maximum). The average is calculated using your best 14-22 weeks of earnings depending on your region's unemployment rate.
How many hours do I need for EI?
You need 420-700 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks depending on the unemployment rate in your Economic Region. Higher unemployment areas require fewer hours. At 40 hours/week this means roughly 10.5-17.5 weeks of work. If you are applying for the first time or re-entering the workforce you need a minimum of 700 hours regardless of regional rate.
Does EI affect my taxes?
Yes EI benefits are taxable income. Federal and provincial taxes are deducted at source from your EI payments. If your net income exceeds $79000 you may also need to repay a portion of benefits (EI clawback) at a rate of 30% of net income above the threshold or 30% of benefits received whichever is less. Plan for this additional tax liability when budgeting.
Related Calculators
Last updated: 24 March 2026