How long can I get EI?

You can usually get regular benefits for between 14 and 45 weeks. But how many weeks you get also depends on:

how many hours you worked in your qualifying period,
the unemployment rate where you live, and
if you get other EI benefits within the last 52 weeks.

If you get regular benefits and other EI benefits, the most you can get in total is usually 50 weeks in one year.

For example, you get 26 weeks of sickness benefits and then apply for regular benefits right away. The most you can get in regular benefits is 24 weeks.

Temporary EI rules

The following applies to claims that start between June 15, 2025, and April 11, 2026. You may get an extra 20 weeks of EI regular benefits if you are a “long-tenured worker”.

You’re a long-tenured worker if you:

got fewer than 36 weeks of regular or fishing benefits in the 3 years before your claim starts, and
paid at least 30% of the annual maximum EI premiums in 7 of the last 10 years before your claim starts.

If you’re not sure if this applies to you, call Service Canada at 1-800-206-7218.

January 2026 Previous page Next page