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Employment Insurance estimator

Estimate your regular EI benefits (55% of insurable earnings, up to $729/week in 2026) and how long they last. For eligibility rules, read the Employment Insurance guide.

$
26

14–45 weeks depending on your hours and regional unemployment rate.

Weekly benefit

$476

Monthly equivalent

$2,063

Total over the period (26 wks)

$12,375

Author's note: apply as soon as you stop working, even before you have all your documents. The one-week waiting period and processing delays mean waiting only pushes back your first payment — and EI doesn't backdate indefinitely.

What this calculator includes

  • Benefits at 55% of insurable earnings
  • The 2026 maximum and waiting period
  • How long benefits can last
  • An estimate of your weekly and total benefits

Sources and references

Service Canada — EI benefit amountcanada.ca
CRA — 2026 maximum insurable earningscanada.ca

Estimate of regular benefits only. The real amount and duration depend on your insurable hours, your region and Service Canada, which remains the official source.

Keep going

What to do next

Three useful next steps:

01 — Read

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5 min · Audio · PDF
02 — Calculate

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Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions about this tool

Answers to the questions readers ask most often about this calculator — what it computes, the figures used, and how to use it.

Open the full FAQ →
How much will I get from Employment Insurance in 2026?+
Regular benefits are 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings. In 2026, the maximum insurable earnings are $68,900, which gives a maximum benefit of $729 per week. If your salary is above that ceiling, your benefit stays at $729.
For how many weeks can I receive benefits?+
From 14 to 45 weeks, depending on the number of insurable hours you accumulated and the unemployment rate in your region. The higher the regional unemployment and the more hours you worked, the longer the period.
Is there a waiting period?+
Yes. A one-week waiting period usually applies at the start: you receive no benefit for that first week, like a deductible. Benefits then begin.
Are benefits taxable?+
Yes. EI is taxable income. Tax is usually withheld at source, but depending on your situation you may owe a balance when you file your returns.
Is my data saved?+
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser: no information is sent to or stored on our servers.
Employment Insurance (EI) estimator for Quebec | VieauQc