When will I get my first payment?
You do not get EI benefits for the first week after you make your claim. This is called the “waiting period”.
After the waiting period, it usually takes at least another 3 to 4 weeks before you get your first payment. And it may take much longer. But your first payment will include benefits going back to the second week.
If you earn any money after your job ends, you may have to wait longer for your EI benefits to start. For example, this includes vacation pay, termination pay, and severance pay. You should still apply right away.
If you earn any money during your waiting period, EI will take some or all of it from your first 3 weeks of benefits.
Temporary EI rules
If your EI claim starts between March 30, 2025, and April 11, 2026:
- you do not have to wait one week to get your first EI payment
- you do not have to wait to get EI payments if you earn money after your job ends
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