How much will I get?
The amount that you get for EI benefits depends on your “average insurable earnings”. This is the average of the highest-paid weeks in your qualifying period.
The actual number of highest-paid weeks that Service Canada uses depends on the unemployment rate in your region. It will be between 14 and 22 weeks.
If you qualify for EI benefits, you will get 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to a maximum amount.
For 2026, the maximum amount is $729 a week. For 2025, the maximum amount was $695 a week. This amount usually changes every year in January.
EI benefits are taxable. This means that Service Canada takes income tax from your benefits.
What is the Family Supplement?
If you have children, you might be able to get more money through the Family Supplement. To qualify for the Family Supplement:
- you or your spouse or common-law partner must get the Canada child benefit (CCB), and
- your annual family income must be $25,921 or less.
If you get the Family Supplement, your EI benefits could go up to as much as 80% of what you were earning before getting EI. But the maximum amount still applies.
For 2026, the maximum amount is $729 a week. For 2025, the maximum amount was $695 a week. This amount usually changes every year in January.
If you and your spouse or common-law partner both get EI benefits at the same time, only one of you can get the Family Supplement.
Usually, it’s better if the person who gets less EI gets the Family Supplement.
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