EI benefits calculator 2026
Enter your average weekly insurable earnings to estimate your Employment Insurance regular benefits before tax.
For most people EI pays 55% of their average weekly earnings, with a weekly maximum of $729 in 2026.
How it's calculated
- Your weekly benefit is 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings.
- It cannot go over $729 a week in 2026.
- The total is the weekly amount times the number of weeks you enter.
An example
If you earned $1,000 a week, your benefit is $550 a week. Over 20 weeks that is $11,000 before tax.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum EI benefit in 2026?
$729 a week, which you reach with average weekly insurable earnings of about $1,325 or more.
Is EI taxable?
Yes. EI benefits are taxable income, so tax can come off each payment. This calculator shows the amount before tax.
How many weeks of EI can I get?
It depends on how many hours you worked and the unemployment rate in your region. Service Canada tells you when your claim is processed.
Key terms
- Average weekly insurable earnings
- Your gross insurable pay in your best weeks, divided by the number of those weeks.
- Regular benefits
- EI paid when you lose your job through no fault of your own and are available to work.
Up-to-date official data
Data checked against the official source on .
We check the official sources automatically, every day.
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