EI calculator 2026: how much will I get? BC and AB

Try an exampleOne click fills the form. Change any number after.

Your claim

About $528a week31 weeks · $16,368 before taxWhy?

Regular benefits (job loss)

For a job lost through no fault of your own: 420 to 700 insurable hours, depending on your region, for 14 to 45 weeks at 55%, up to $729 a week.

Why did the job end? Where: the reason your employer gives in block 16 of your Record of Employment (ROE). Common mistake: assuming you can’t apply after quitting. If you had just cause, apply and let Service Canada decide. This is general information, not employment or legal advice.

Sickness benefits

When you can’t work for medical reasons (illness, injury or quarantine): 600 hours, up to 26 weeks at 55%, up to $729 a week. You need a medical certificate.

Weeks you expect to be off workFrom your medical certificate. Leave blank for the most, 26 weeks. Example: 10. Common mistake: forgetting to use employer sick leave first, if your plan requires it.

Maternity and parental benefits

600 hours. Maternity: up to 15 weeks at 55%. Parental: standard up to 40 weeks shared (35 for one parent) at 55%, up to $729; or extended up to 69 weeks shared (61 for one parent) at 33%, up to $437.

I’m the person giving birth (add maternity benefits)Up to 15 weeks, as early as 12 weeks before the due date. Maternity weeks can’t be shared.

Parental benefit option

Standard parental55%, up to 35 weeks for you, within 52 weeks of the birth or adoption. Extended parental33%, up to 61 weeks for you, within 78 weeks. Smaller payments for longer.

Parental weeks you’ll takeLeave blank for the most one parent can take. Your partner can take the rest of the shared weeks. Example: 30. Common mistake: planning to switch options later: you can’t once a week of parental benefits is paid.

Caregiving benefits

To care for or support a critically ill or injured family member, or someone at the end of life: 600 hours at 55%, up to $729 a week. The weeks can be shared between caregivers.

Who are you caring for? A doctor or nurse practitioner certifies the condition. You don’t have to live with or be related to the person, if they consider you like family.

Weeks you’ll takeLeave blank for the most. Example: 8.

Your region, hours and pay

Regional rates for claims starting October 11 to November 7, 2026, from Statistics Canada (published October 9, 2026). They change about every 4 weeks.

EI economic region where you live What: the region is set by your home postal code, not where you worked. Where: Service Canada’s postal code lookup shows your region and its current rate. Metro Vancouver, including Surrey and Burnaby. At 6.6%, regular benefits need 665 hours and use your best 21 weeks of pay.

Insurable hours in the last 52 weeksWhat: paid hours from every job in the last 52 weeks, or since your last claim if that’s shorter. Paid vacation and overtime count. Where: block 15A (total insurable hours) of each Record of Employment (ROE), in My Service Canada Account. Example: 40 hours a week for 40 weeks = 1,600. Common mistake: counting only your last job.

How do you want to enter your pay?

My usual weekly paySimplest, if your pay was about the same every week. The total of my best weeksCloser to Service Canada’s method if your pay went up and down.

Usual weekly insurable earnings, before deductions

What: gross weekly pay, including tips and commissions, before tax and other deductions. Where: your pay stubs. Example: $24 an hour × 40 hours = 960. Common mistake: entering take-home pay. Pay over $1,325 a week counts as $1,325 (the $68,900 yearly maximum).

Part-time pay while on claim, a week (optional)

Shows how working while on claim changes your EI. Example: 300 for three short shifts. Leave at 0 if you won’t work.

The numbers are worked out in your browser. Nothing you type leaves this page unless you ask for the full breakdown; then what you entered is saved with your name and email so our team can reply.

Your 2026 EI estimate

Regular benefits, before tax, about

$528 a week

Estimate only. Service Canada decides eligibility, the benefit rate and the number of weeks after you apply.

For 31 weeks: about $16,368 before tax, from 1,600 hours and $960 a week in the Vancouver region (6.6%).

You have enough hours. 1,600 hours; 665 are needed at 6.6%.

No waiting week. A temporary measure waives the unpaid first week for new claims that start by October 9, 2027.

Each week$528

Weeks31

Total before tax$16,368

General information, not tax advice. Finvo is not part of the government. Check with Service Canada’s EI Benefits Estimator.

See every line behind this numberHours, earnings, weekly rate and weeks line by line, what it means, what to do next

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2026 rates used in this estimateEach figure links to its official source, checked 28 Oct 2026.

EI amounts, hours and weeks used
Figure	2026	Source, checked
Benefit rate and maximum	55% of average weekly insurable earnings, up to $729 a week ($68,900 maximum insurable earnings)	canada.ca How much you could receive (2026-10-19), 28 Oct 2026
Extended parental	33%, up to $437 a week	canada.ca Maternity and parental (2026-10-22), 28 Oct 2026
Your region’s rate	Vancouver 6.6%, for claims starting October 11 to November 7, 2026	Statistics Canada Table 12 (2026-10-09), 28 Oct 2026
Hours needed, regular	700 hours at 6% and under, down by 35 hours for each point, to 420 hours over 13%	canada.ca Do you qualify (2026-10-15), 28 Oct 2026
Best weeks (divisor)	22 weeks at 6% or less, down by 1 for each point, to 14 at 13.1% or more	canada.ca How much you could receive, 28 Oct 2026
Weeks of regular benefits	14 to 45, from the official table of hours by regional rate	canada.ca How much you could receive, 28 Oct 2026
Special benefits	600 hours. Sickness up to 26 weeks; maternity 15; standard parental 40 shared (35 for one parent); extended parental 69 shared (61 for one parent); caregiving 35 (child), 15 (adult), 26 (end of life)	Sickness, maternity and parental, caregiving, 28 Oct 2026
Waiting period	Normally 1 unpaid week; waived for new claims starting March 30, 2025 to October 9, 2027	canada.ca Temporary measures (2026-10-06), 28 Oct 2026
Working while on claim	Keep 50 cents of EI for each dollar earned, up to 90% of previous weekly earnings; dollar for dollar above that	canada.ca Working While on Claim (2025-06-06), 28 Oct 2026

Estimate only, general information, not tax advice. Finvo is not part of the government. Service Canada decides eligibility, the number of weeks and the amount, from your Records of Employment and your application. Check with Service Canada’s EI Benefits Estimator. This estimate leaves out the family supplement, extra weeks for long-tenured and seasonal workers, notices of violation, combining different benefits in one claim, fishing benefits and Quebec.

Detailed report

Your EI estimate, line by line

The hours you need, your average weekly earnings, the weekly benefit and the weeks, each with a sentence on where it comes from, then what to do next. It follows every change you make above, for the benefit tab you have open.

Line-by-line breakdown of your EI estimate
Line	Amount
Hours neededAt 6.6% (6.1% to 7%), regular benefits need 665 insurable hours. You have 1,600.	665
Average weekly insurable earningsYour usual weekly pay, before deductions.	$960
Weekly benefit55% of $960, rounded to the dollar. The 2026 maximum is $729.	$528
Weeks of benefitsFrom the official table: 1,575 to 1,609 hours at 6.1% to 7% gives 31 weeks.	31
Total before tax$528 × 31 weeks. Tax is deducted from each payment.	$16,368

What this means

EI is taxable. Federal and provincial tax is deducted from each payment, and your T4E slip shows the total.
Payments come every 2 weeks, after you complete your biweekly report.

What to do next

Apply as soon as you stop working, no later than 4 weeks after your last day.
Ask each employer for your Record of Employment (ROE); you can apply before it arrives.
Complete your report every 2 weeks, including any work and earnings.
Keep your T4E slip for your return: box 14 (total paid) and box 22 (tax deducted).

Finvo is not part of the government. Service Canada decides who qualifies, for how many weeks and how much. Use Service Canada’s own estimator to check.

EI counts as income on your return. See it with your other income in the income tax calculator.

Key figures

Key figures for 2026

EI figures change each January. Each figure below was read on canada.ca on 28 Oct 2026. The regional unemployment rates change about every 4 weeks; the ones shown are for claims starting October 11 to November 7, 2026.

Employment Insurance (EI) figures for 2026
Figure	2026 amount and rule	Source, checked
Maximum insurable earnings	$68,900 a year ($1,325 a week)	canada.ca, How much you could receive (2026-10-19); 28 Oct 2026
Basic benefit rate	55% of average weekly insurable earnings, up to $729 a week	canada.ca, How much you could receive (2026-10-19); 28 Oct 2026
Extended parental rate	33%, up to $437 a week	canada.ca, Maternity and parental benefits (2026-10-22); 28 Oct 2026
Hours needed, regular benefits	420 to 700 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks, depending on the regional unemployment rate	canada.ca, Do you qualify (2026-10-15); 28 Oct 2026
Hours needed, special benefits	600 insurable hours (sickness, maternity, parental, caregiving)	canada.ca sickness, maternity and parental, caregiving eligibility pages; 28 Oct 2026
Regular benefits	14 to 45 weeks, from hours and the regional rate. Best 14 to 22 weeks of pay set the average	canada.ca, How much you could receive (2026-10-19); 28 Oct 2026
Sickness benefits	Up to 26 weeks at 55%, with a medical certificate	canada.ca, EI sickness benefits (2026-10-22); 28 Oct 2026
Maternity benefits	Up to 15 weeks at 55%, for the person giving birth; can’t be shared	canada.ca, Maternity and parental benefits (2026-10-22); 28 Oct 2026
Standard parental	Up to 40 weeks shared, no more than 35 for one parent, at 55%, within 52 weeks	canada.ca, Maternity and parental benefits (2026-10-22); 28 Oct 2026
Extended parental	Up to 69 weeks shared, no more than 61 for one parent, at 33%, within 78 weeks	canada.ca, Maternity and parental benefits (2026-10-22); 28 Oct 2026
Caregiving benefits	Up to 35 weeks for a child, 15 for an adult, 26 for end-of-life care, at 55%	canada.ca, EI caregiving benefits (2026-06-02, amounts 2026-10-22); 28 Oct 2026
Waiting period	Normally 1 unpaid week. Waived for new claims that start March 30, 2025 to October 9, 2027 (temporary measure)	canada.ca, Temporary EI measures (2026-10-06); 28 Oct 2026
Working while on claim	Keep 50 cents of EI for each dollar earned, up to 90% of previous weekly earnings; above that, dollar for dollar	canada.ca, Working While on Claim (2025-06-06); 28 Oct 2026
Family supplement	Low-income families with children (net family income up to $25,921) can get up to 80% of earnings, still up to $729 (not calculated here)	canada.ca, How much you could receive (2026-10-19); 28 Oct 2026

Regional unemployment rates for BC and Alberta, claims starting October 11 to November 7, 2026
EI economic region	Rate	Hours needed	Best weeks
Vancouver	6.6%	665	21
Abbotsford	6.9%	665	21
Victoria	5.7%	700	22
Southern Coastal British Columbia	6.5%	665	21
Southern Interior British Columbia	8.1%	595	19
Northern British Columbia	8.7%	595	19
Calgary	6.5%	665	21
Edmonton	7.1%	630	20
Northern Alberta	8.6%	595	19
Southern Alberta	7.2%	630	20

Rates: Statistics Canada, The Daily, Table 12, Regional unemployment rates used by the Employment Insurance program (three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted), dated 2026-10-09, checked 28 Oct 2026. For a later claim, look up the current rate with Service Canada’s postal code lookup.

Hours needed and best weeks used, by regional unemployment rate
Regional rate	Hours needed (regular)	Best weeks used
6% and under	700	22
6.1% to 7%	665	21
7.1% to 8%	630	20
8.1% to 9%	595	19
9.1% to 10%	560	18
10.1% to 11%	525	17
11.1% to 12%	490	16
12.1% to 13%	455	15
More than 13%	420	14

Source: canada.ca, EI regular benefits: Do you qualify (page dated 2026-10-15, without a violation) and How much you could receive (page dated 2026-10-19), checked 28 Oct 2026.

Full table: weeks of regular benefits by hours and regional rate

Number of weeks of EI regular benefits payable, by insurable hours and regional unemployment rate (0 = not enough hours at that rate). Source: canada.ca, page dated 2026-10-19.
Insurable hours	6% and less	6.1–7%	7.1–8%	8.1–9%	9.1–10%	10.1–11%	11.1–12%	12.1–13%	13.1–14%	14.1–15%	15.1–16%	Over 16%
420 to 454	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	26	28	30	32
455 to 489	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	24	26	28	30	32
490 to 524	0	0	0	0	0	0	23	25	27	29	31	33
525 to 559	0	0	0	0	0	21	23	25	27	29	31	33
560 to 594	0	0	0	0	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34
595 to 629	0	0	0	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34
630 to 664	0	0	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35
665 to 699	0	15	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35
700 to 734	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36
735 to 769	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36
770 to 804	15	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37
805 to 839	15	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37
840 to 874	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38
875 to 909	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38
910 to 944	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39
945 to 979	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39
980 to 1,014	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
1,015 to 1,049	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40
1,050 to 1,084	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41
1,085 to 1,119	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41
1,120 to 1,154	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42
1,155 to 1,189	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42
1,190 to 1,224	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43
1,225 to 1,259	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43
1,260 to 1,294	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
1,295 to 1,329	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
1,330 to 1,364	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45
1,365 to 1,399	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45
1,400 to 1,434	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45
1,435 to 1,469	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45
1,470 to 1,504	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45
1,505 to 1,539	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45
1,540 to 1,574	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45
1,575 to 1,609	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45
1,610 to 1,644	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45
1,645 to 1,679	31	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45
1,680 to 1,714	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45
1,715 to 1,749	33	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45
1,750 to 1,784	34	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45	45
1,785 to 1,819	35	37	39	41	43	45	45	45	45	45	45	45
1,820 and more	36	38	40	42	44	45	45	45	45	45	45	45

Method

How it's calculated

The calculator follows the steps on Service Canada’s “How much you could receive” pages.

Your region’s rate. Your home postal code puts you in an EI economic region. Its unemployment rate in the week your claim starts sets the hours you need, the best weeks used and, for regular benefits, the number of weeks.
Hours. Add the insurable hours from every job in the last 52 weeks (or since your last claim). Regular benefits need 420 to 700 hours, depending on the rate. Sickness, maternity, parental and caregiving benefits need 600.
Reason for leaving (regular only). You must have lost the job through no fault of your own. Quitting without just cause or being fired for misconduct usually means no regular benefits.
Average weekly earnings. Add your insurable earnings for your best weeks (the highest-paid weeks), then divide by the number of best weeks: 22 where unemployment is lowest, down to 14 where it’s highest. Earnings count up to $68,900 a year, or $1,325 a week.
Weekly benefit. 55% of that average, rounded to the dollar, up to $729. Extended parental uses 33%, up to $437. The weekly amount stays the same for the whole claim.
Weeks. Regular benefits come from the official table of hours by regional rate: 14 to 45 weeks. Special benefits are the weeks you need, up to each benefit’s maximum.
Total. Weekly benefit × weeks, before tax. Income tax is deducted from each payment.
Working while on claim. If you enter part-time pay, half of it comes off your weekly benefit, up to 90% of your average weekly earnings; above that, every dollar comes off.

2026 figures, checked 28 Oct 2026

Worked examples

Two worked examples for 2026

Example 1: a laid-off warehouse worker in Surrey

A warehouse worker in Surrey is laid off in late October 2026 because of a shortage of work. They earned $24 an hour for 40 hours a week ($960 a week) and worked 1,600 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks.

Region: Surrey is in the Vancouver EI region, at 6.6% for claims starting October 11 to November 7, 2026. That rate is in the 6.1% to 7% band, so they need 665 hours and Service Canada uses their best 21 weeks. They have 1,600 hours, so they qualify.

Weekly benefit: their best 21 weeks add up to 21 × $960 = $20,160. Divided by 21, that’s $960 a week. 55% of $960 is $528 a week, under the $729 maximum.

Weeks: 1,600 hours is in the 1,575 to 1,609 row of the official table; at 6.1% to 7% that row gives 31 weeks. The total is $528 × 31 = $16,368 before tax. Under the temporary measure there is no waiting week for a claim starting now.

Example 1: Surrey, laid off, 1,600 hours, $960 a week
Line	Amount
Hours needed at 6.6% (Vancouver region)	665
Average of the best 21 weeks ($20,160 ÷ 21)	$960
Weekly benefit (55%)	$528
Weeks (1,600 hours at 6.1% to 7%)	31
Total before tax	$16,368

Tax comes off each payment. If they pick up three shifts a week paying $300, half of that, $150, comes off that week’s EI: they keep $378 of EI plus the $300 they earned.

Example 2: an Edmonton parent choosing extended parental leave

A parent in Edmonton is expecting a baby. They earn $1,200 a week and have 1,800 insurable hours, well over the 600 needed. Edmonton’s rate is 7.1%, so Service Canada uses their best 20 weeks: $24,000 ÷ 20 = $1,200 a week.

Maternity: 55% of $1,200 is $660 a week for 15 weeks: $9,900. Then parental. Standard pays $660 a week for up to 35 weeks: $23,100. Extended pays 33% of $1,200, $396 a week, for up to 61 weeks: $24,156. They choose extended, so their partner can still take up to 8 of the 69 shared extended weeks.

Example 2: Edmonton, maternity plus standard or extended parental, $1,200 a week
Option	Weekly	Weeks	Total before tax
Maternity	$660	15	$9,900
Standard parental	$660	35	$23,100
Extended parental	$396	61	$24,156
Maternity + standard	$660	50	$33,000
Maternity + extended	$660, then $396	76	$34,056

The trade-off: extended pays $1,056 more in total, but $264 less each week, spread over 26 more weeks. It suits a family that wants a longer time at home and can manage on less each week. The choice can’t be changed once a week of parental benefits is paid.

While you’re on EI

Waiting week, tax and working while on claim

The waiting week is waived for now. Normally the first week of a claim is unpaid, like an insurance deductible. Under a temporary measure, it’s waived for new claims that start between March 30, 2025 and October 9, 2027.
Tax is deducted. All EI benefits are taxable. Federal and provincial tax comes off each payment, and EI counts as income on your return.
Working while on claim. On any type of EI benefit, you keep 50 cents of your benefit for each dollar you earn, up to 90% of your previous weekly earnings. Above that, benefits are cut dollar for dollar. A full week of work means no benefit that week, but you don’t lose the week.
Reports every 2 weeks. You complete a report online or by phone every 2 weeks, with any work and earnings, for as long as you get benefits. Missing them can stop your payments.
Severance and vacation pay. Under a temporary measure, money paid because a job ended (such as severance or vacation pay) isn’t deducted from EI for claims starting by October 9, 2027.
Long-time workers may get more weeks. If you paid EI premiums for years and rarely claimed, a temporary measure can add up to 20 weeks of regular benefits (to a maximum of 65) for claims starting by June 12, 2027. Service Canada adds them automatically.

Source: canada.ca, Temporary EI measures (page dated 2026-10-06), While on EI, Working While on Claim and How much you could receive, checked 28 Oct 2026.

Next steps

What to do next

Apply as soon as you stop working. If you wait more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. Apply online with your SIN, banking details and the dates and reasons for every job in the last 52 weeks.
Get your Record of Employment (ROE). Each employer issues one; Service Canada needs them to decide your claim. Don’t wait for them to apply: documents can follow.
File your report every 2 weeks, including any work and earnings, in the week the work happened.
Keep your T4E slip for tax time. Box 14 is the total EI paid (it goes on line 11900 of your return) and box 22 is the income tax deducted (line 43700). If too little tax came off, you may owe at tax time.
See EI with your other income. EI benefits count as other income: try the income tax calculator, and see other government benefits in BC and Alberta.
Want your return reviewed? We prepare personal tax returns that include T4E slips.

Self-employed? You can’t get regular EI, but you can opt in for special benefits (maternity, parental, sickness and caregiving) through an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission, at least 12 months before you claim. See EI for self-employed people. This calculator doesn’t work out the self-employed amount.

Scope

Who this is for and what it leaves out

Who this is for

Employees in BC or Alberta who have lost a job, or expect to, and want to know if they qualify for EI and roughly how much.
Parents planning maternity and parental leave, comparing standard and extended parental benefits.
Workers off sick, or caring for a family member who is critically ill or at the end of life.
Anyone picking up part-time work while on claim, to see what’s left of their EI.

What it leaves out

The family supplement for low-income families, the 20 extra weeks for long-tenured workers and extra weeks for seasonal workers.
Notices of violation (which raise the hours needed), combining different benefits in one claim, and claims that renew an earlier one.
Self-employed special benefits, fishing benefits, Quebec (which has its own parental plan) and other provinces’ regions.
The tax on your EI and any repayment of benefits on your return. For tax, see the income tax calculator.

Sources, checked 28 Oct 2026

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EI benefits, answered

How much EI will I get in 2026?

Most people get 55% of their average weekly insurable earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026. Extended parental benefits pay 33%, up to $437 a week. The average comes from your best 14 to 22 weeks of pay in the last 52 weeks; the number of weeks depends on your region's unemployment rate. Income tax is deducted from each payment.

How many hours do I need to qualify for EI?

For regular benefits, between 420 and 700 hours of insurable employment in the last 52 weeks, or since your last claim, depending on the unemployment rate in your EI economic region. In the Vancouver region, at 6.6% for claims starting October 11 to November 7, 2026, you need 665 hours. Sickness, maternity, parental and caregiving benefits need 600 hours anywhere.

How many weeks of EI can I get?

Regular benefits last 14 to 45 weeks, from an official table that combines your insurable hours with your region's unemployment rate. For example, 1,600 hours at 6.6% gives 31 weeks. Sickness benefits last up to 26 weeks, maternity up to 15, standard parental up to 35 for one parent and extended parental up to 61.

Is there still a one-week waiting period for EI?

Normally, yes: the first week of a claim is unpaid. Under a temporary measure, the waiting period is waived for new EI claims that start between March 30, 2025 and October 9, 2027. Check Service Canada's temporary measures page before you apply, because these measures can change.

Can I get EI if I quit or was fired?

Usually not, if you quit without just cause or lost your job because of your own misconduct. If you quit with just cause, you may still qualify; Service Canada decides from your facts and your employer's. For claims starting October 11, 2026 to October 9, 2027, only your most recent reason for leaving is reviewed.

Should I choose standard or extended parental benefits?

Standard pays 55%, up to $729 a week, for up to 35 weeks for one parent (40 shared). Extended pays 33%, up to $437 a week, for up to 61 weeks for one parent (69 shared). If you take every week, extended pays a slightly larger total, but each payment is much smaller. You can't switch once a week of parental benefits has been paid.

Can I work while on EI?

Yes. You keep 50 cents of your EI benefit for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of your previous weekly earnings; above that, benefits are cut dollar for dollar. This applies to every type of EI benefit. Report your work and earnings on your report every 2 weeks. A full week of work means no benefit that week.

Is EI taxable?

Yes. All EI benefits are taxable, and federal and provincial tax is deducted from each payment. Your T4E slip shows the total paid in box 14, which goes on line 11900 of your return, and the tax deducted in box 22, which goes on line 43700. If too little tax was deducted, you may owe at tax time.

When should I apply for EI?

As soon as you stop working. If you wait more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. Each employer issues a Record of Employment (ROE), which Service Canada uses to decide your claim, but you don't need to wait for it to apply. Once you're on claim, you complete a report every 2 weeks.

Can self-employed people get EI?

Only special benefits: maternity, parental, sickness and caregiving. You must opt in through an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission, and it must be in place for at least 12 months before you claim. Self-employed people can't get regular benefits. This calculator doesn't work out the self-employed amount.

EI calculator 2026 for BC and Alberta

Your claim

Regular benefits (job loss)

Sickness benefits

Maternity and parental benefits

Caregiving benefits

Your region, hours and pay

Your 2026 EI estimate

Your EI estimate, line by line

What this means

What to do next

Key figures for 2026

How it's calculated

Two worked examples for 2026

Example 1: a laid-off warehouse worker in Surrey

Example 2: an Edmonton parent choosing extended parental leave

Waiting week, tax and working while on claim

What to do next

Who this is for and what it leaves out

Who this is for

What it leaves out

Sources, checked 28 Oct 2026

EI counts on your tax return.

EI benefits, answered

Free calculators for 2026

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EI calculator 2026 for BC and Alberta

Your claim

Regular benefits (job loss)

Sickness benefits

Maternity and parental benefits

Caregiving benefits

Your region, hours and pay

Your 2026 EI estimate

Your EI estimate, line by line

What this means

What to do next

Key figures for 2026

How it's calculated

Two worked examples for 2026

Example 1: a laid-off warehouse worker in Surrey

Example 2: an Edmonton parent choosing extended parental leave

Waiting week, tax and working while on claim

What to do next

Who this is for and what it leaves out

Who this is for

What it leaves out

Sources, checked 28 Oct 2026

EI counts on your tax return.

More help when work changes

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Tax credits you may be missing

Getting your T1 return right

New to Canada: your first tax return

EI benefits, answered

Free calculators for 2026