Who can get EI benefits?

You may be able to get EI regular benefits if:

• it was not your fault that you lost your job, and
• you’re looking for work.

To decide if you can get benefits, Service Canada looks at the number of insurable hours you worked during your qualifying period.

Qualifying period

Your qualifying period is usually the last 52 weeks before the start of your claim. Sometimes your qualifying period can be longer.

For example, it could go back more than 52 weeks if during that time you were sick, injured, pregnant, or in jail.

Sometimes it can be shorter. For example, if you had another EI claim that started in that 52-week period, your qualifying period only goes back to the start of that claim.

Number of insurable hours

Your insurable hours are the total number of eligible hours you worked in your qualifying period. To get EI, you need a certain number of insurable hours.

The number of insurable hours you need depends on the unemployment rate where you live. If the unemployment rate is lower in your area, you need more hours. If it’s higher, you need fewer hours.

Usually, you need between 420 and 700 insurable hours. You will not get EI if you have less than 420 insurable hours.

If you give false or misleading information, Service Canada usually makes a note of this in your file. This is called a “violation”.

If you have a violation in your file in the last 5 years, you might need more insurable hours to get EI.

Not enough insurable hours

It can be hard to figure out the exact number of hours you worked during your qualifying period. Even if you think you might not have enough insurable hours, you should still apply.

You, your employer, or Service Canada may not agree about the number of hours. If this happens, any of you can ask the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to decide.

This is called a “CPP/EI ruling”. You may need to give the CRA documents to show how many hours you worked, such as your shift schedules or pay stubs.

For more information, go to to canada.ca/en and search for “CPP/EI ruling”. Or call 1-800-959-8281. For TTY, call 1-800-665-0354.

EI premiums

EI premiums are what workers and employers pay so that there’s money in the EI program.

When you earn money at your job, your employer must take off a small amount from your pay for EI premiums. Your employer must also pay EI premiums.

If your employer does not take off EI premiums

Sometimes, employers do not take off EI premiums from your pay, even if they’re supposed to.

This can happen because your employer says that you’re an independent contractor or self-employed. This can also make it harder to claim EI benefits if you lose your job.

If this happens, you can apply to the CRA for a “CPP/EI ruling”. The CRA decides if you were an employee or self-employed. Read more in Not enough insurable hours.

---

January 2026 Previous page Next page