If your employer is bankrupt
You may be able to get back money that your employer owes you, if your employer:
- has gone bankrupt,
- is insolvent, or
- is in receivership.
Wage Earner Protection Program
You can apply to the Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) to get:
- wages your employer did not pay you,
- vacation pay, and
- severance pay and termination pay.
How much you can get
The most you can get from WEPP is 7 times what the Employment Insurance Act says are your maximum weekly “insurable earnings”. This amount usually changes every year on January 1.
For 2026, the most you can get is $9,275 before deductions like income tax.
You can get wages and vacation pay that you earned in the 6 months before your employer’s bankruptcy.
How to apply
To apply online, go to canada.ca and type “apply WEPP” in the search box. You must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
If you do not have a SIN, you can get a paper application form from a Service Canada Centre. Or you can call the number below.
For more information about WEPP and to get a paper copy of the application form, call the WEPP information line at 1-866-683-6516. For TTY, call 1-800-926-9105.
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