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Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) regular benefits online as soon as you stop working. Do not wait for your Record of Employment (ROE): you can submit the application first and send missing documents afterward. Waiting more than four weeks after your last day of work can cost you benefits.
Have your Social Insurance Number (SIN), work history, separation details, address and banking information ready. Service Canada—not an employer or an online calculator—decides whether you qualify, how much you receive and how long payments last.
Apply immediately—even if your ROE is missing
The official online application takes about one hour. Your draft is saved for 72 hours if you pause; after that it is deleted and you must start again. File promptly after your last day of work because the four-week warning is important: a late application can mean lost weeks of entitlement.
Employers submit ROEs electronically or on paper. Service Canada uses the relevant ROEs to assess your hours, earnings and benefit rate, but the government allows required records to arrive after you apply. Check your My Service Canada Account (MSCA) for electronic ROEs, ask an employer for a paper ROE when necessary, and forward outstanding documents as soon as possible.
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What to gather before starting
Accurate entries prevent avoidable processing delays. The application checklist specifically warns that a mistake such as misspelling a parent’s last name at birth can hold up a claim.
Identity and contact information
- Your Social Insurance Number.
- The last name at birth of one parent.
- Your mailing address and residential address, including postal codes.
Banking information
- Bank name.
- Transit number.
- Account number, if you want direct deposit.
Employment and separation information
Prepare details for every job in the previous 52 weeks, or since the beginning of your last EI claim if that period is shorter:
- Each employer’s name and address.
- Employment start and end dates.
- The reason the job ended.
- Your account of what happened if you quit or were dismissed.
Keep dates and names consistent with your records. If you do not have every document, submit the application with the information you do have and explain or provide the remainder afterward.
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- Open the Government of Canada’s EI regular-benefits application. Use a private, secure connection where possible. The application is available from home, at an internet kiosk in a Service Canada Centre or at a public internet access location such as a library.
- Enter your identity and contact details. Type your SIN, parent’s last name at birth and addresses exactly. Review spelling before moving on.
- Choose direct deposit, if desired. Enter the bank, transit and account numbers from your financial institution. If you cannot provide banking details, you can still apply and update them later through MSCA.
- List all employment in the qualifying period. Include every employer, dates, addresses and the reason for separation. Omitting a short job can create an incomplete record and trigger a request for information.
- Explain a quit or dismissal in your own words. Do not assume that quitting or being dismissed automatically ends eligibility. Service Canada examines the specific facts, so provide a complete, factual account.
- Submit without waiting for ROEs. The application date matters. Electronic ROEs may appear in MSCA later, and paper ROEs can be sent after filing.
- Save the confirmation. Keep the confirmation number and any submission evidence with your employment records.
If you pause, return within 72 hours. Once that window expires, the saved draft is deleted and you must re-enter the application.
Do you qualify for regular EI?
Service Canada decides eligibility from your individual circumstances. In general, you must meet all of these conditions:
- You had employment that was insurable under EI.
- You lost the work through circumstances that are not treated as your fault under the applicable rules.
- You were without work and without pay for at least seven consecutive days during the relevant period.
- You accumulated enough insurable hours in the qualifying period.
- You are ready, willing and capable of working each day.
- You are actively looking for work and can show your search if asked.
Keep a written job-search record with employer names, contact dates, positions and outcomes. Eligibility details can differ by occupation and personal situation, so applying is usually safer than trying to decide the outcome yourself.
Qualifying period
The qualifying period is normally the 52 weeks before your claim starts. If you had a previous benefit period, it can instead be the period since that earlier claim began when that is shorter. In specified circumstances, the period can be extended to a maximum of 104 weeks.
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Insurable-hour requirement by region
The required hours depend on the unemployment rate in your EI economic region when the claim is established, not on a single national threshold. The current published range is:
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| Regional unemployment rate | Insurable hours generally required |
|---|---|
| Above 13% | 420 |
| 6% or lower | 700 |
| Between those rates | Requirement falls between 420 and 700 hours according to the published regional table |
Use the Government of Canada’s current economic-region lookup for the exact threshold. A prior EI violation can increase the hours required. Because the rate and region are claim-specific, do not rely on a generic number copied from another claimant’s situation.
Quitting or being dismissed
Still apply if you quit or were dismissed. Report the facts, including what led to the separation, what alternatives you considered and any evidence you have. Service Canada assesses whether the circumstances meet the applicable rules; “no fault” is not a universal shortcut that can be decided from the job-ending label alone.
How much could you receive and for how long?
Benefit rate and 2026 maximum
For most claimants, regular EI pays 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, subject to the annual maximum. For claims using the 2026 limits, maximum yearly insurable earnings are $68,900 and the maximum weekly benefit is $729. These figures are Government of Canada amounts effective January 1, 2026 and can change in a later year.
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How Service Canada calculates the weekly amount
Service Canada identifies your required number of best weeks of insurable earnings, based on the unemployment rate in your economic region, and applies a divisor. The calculation uses between 14 and 22 best weeks, then applies the 55% rate, subject to the cap. Your actual amount therefore depends on your earnings record and region, not just your last paycheque.
How many weeks are payable?
Regular EI can last from 14 to 45 weeks. The result depends on the regional unemployment rate when the claim is filed and the insurable hours accumulated during the qualifying period. Without both your region and hours, no reliable personal duration can be stated.
Use the Benefits Estimator for planning only
The free Government of Canada Benefits Estimator can provide an estimate from your answers. It is not an eligibility decision and does not guarantee the final weekly amount or number of weeks. Treat it as a budgeting aid until Service Canada issues your claim decision.
When a decision and first payment should arrive
Service Canada’s service standard is a decision within 28 days, with an objective of meeting that standard 80% of the time. If you qualify and all required information is available, the first payment is expected about 28 days after applying. These are service targets, not a promise for an individual file; missing ROEs or other information can delay a decision.
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The waiting period
The normal waiting period is one unpaid week for claims starting January 1, 2017 or later. Temporary measures can modify the normal rule for a specified claim window, so check the live Government of Canada temporary-measures information for the dates and conditions that apply to your claim.
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What happens after you apply
Watch MSCA for your claim
Use MSCA to check status and messages, see electronic ROEs, update contact or banking information and answer requests for missing information. The claim view shows the claim start and end dates, weekly benefit rate, weeks of entitlement and the last report processed.
Receive and use the access code
Service Canada mails a benefit statement and a four-digit access code after you apply. You use the code with your SIN to file reports online or by telephone. Keep the letter secure and do not share the code.
Complete reports every two weeks
Biweekly reports are required to establish continuing eligibility and release payments. You normally have three weeks from the stated next-report date to submit a report. Report every hour worked and all earnings accurately, even if you have not yet been paid. Failing to report earnings can create an overpayment that you must repay.
Continue meeting the availability and job-search requirements while receiving benefits. Keep your employer-contact record in case Service Canada asks for proof.
Choosing where to complete the application
| Access route | Useful when | Points to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Private device at home | You have a reliable connection and can work without interruption | Use a secure network, protect your documents and log out when finished |
| Service Canada Centre internet kiosk | You need government-site access or do not have a suitable computer | Plan enough time for the roughly one-hour application and bring your information securely |
| Public internet access, such as a library | A library or similar location is your only practical connection | Shield personal information from other users, avoid saving passwords and log out completely |
All three routes submit the same government application. A paid application service, special printer or purchased software is not required.
Current temporary measures and date-sensitive rules
The Government of Canada’s temporary-measures page describes measures responding to major economic changes. One separation-related measure is identified for claims starting October 11, 2026 through October 9, 2027. Because this window is limited and conditions can change, verify the current page immediately before relying on it. Do not extend the measure to claims outside those dates or assume it changes every EI rule.
The 2026 maximum insurable earnings and weekly cap are also date-sensitive. If you apply in a later year, check the current amounts rather than carrying forward the 2026 figures.
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- Read the request in MSCA and note the deadline.
- Provide the requested ROE, employer contact, separation explanation or other record as soon as possible.
- Keep a copy of everything submitted and the date it was sent.
- Continue filing reports while the claim is being assessed unless Service Canada tells you otherwise.
An employer’s missing ROE does not mean you should abandon the application. Follow up with the employer for a paper copy and tell Service Canada that the record is outstanding.
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If your claim is refused
MSCA provides the decision and reasons. Read the explanation carefully, gather documents that address the stated issue and request reconsideration within 30 days of the decision being communicated. The 30-day deadline is separate from the four-week advice to apply promptly, so act immediately if you intend to challenge a refusal.
Continue keeping records of work searches, earnings and communications. A reconsideration request should respond to the actual reason for refusal rather than simply repeat the original application.
Common mistakes and practical fixes
- Waiting for the ROE: Apply first; send the ROE when it becomes available.
- Filing after four weeks: Submit as soon as work stops and explain any unavoidable delay.
- Leaving out a job: List every employer in the required period, including brief employment.
- Incorrect parent-name spelling: Check the last name at birth against your records before submitting.
- Assuming quitting means automatic refusal: Describe the circumstances and let Service Canada assess them.
- Missing biweekly reports: Record the next-report date and submit within the allowed three-week window.
- Under-reporting work or earnings: Report all hours and earnings to avoid an overpayment and repayment obligation.
- Ignoring MSCA messages: Check the account regularly and answer document requests promptly.
- Using an unsecured shared computer: Do not save passwords, shield personal details and log out completely.
A simple claimant checklist
- Apply online immediately after the last day worked.
- Have your SIN, parent’s last name at birth and addresses ready.
- Gather bank, transit and account numbers for direct deposit.
- List all employers, dates, addresses and separation reasons for the applicable period.
- Submit even when an ROE has not arrived.
- Check MSCA for status, messages and electronic ROEs.
- Watch for the mailed benefit statement and four-digit access code.
- File every report accurately and on time.
- Keep job-search and submission records.
- Request reconsideration within 30 days if Service Canada refuses the claim.
How to plan while your claim is pending
Keep a calendar with the application date, the date you expect your first report, every document request and each submission. The claim can move through several steps at once: an ROE may arrive electronically, Service Canada may ask about a separation, and a report may become due before a final decision is posted. Checking MSCA regularly prevents one missed message from delaying the file.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBudget conservatively. The 55% formula and the $729 weekly maximum are not a promise of what you will receive, and the first payment can take longer than the 28-day service target when information is incomplete. The Benefits Estimator is useful for a rough plan, but use the amount and entitlement weeks shown in your claim once Service Canada has decided it.
Job Bank and other free government services can support an active job search. Keep evidence such as the employer contacted, date, position and result. Do not buy a paid application service, special software or equipment: none is required to submit an EI claim.
Protecting your personal information
Your application contains your SIN, address, banking details and employment history. On a public computer, do not allow the browser to save the password or form data, cover the screen from nearby users, clear any downloaded documents and sign out of both the application and MSCA. Keep the mailed access code in a secure place. If your address, telephone number or banking information changes, update it in MSCA so Service Canada can reach you and payments are not sent using stale information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for EI regular benefits before my ROE arrives?
Yes. Apply as soon as you stop working. Service Canada permits required records to be supplied afterward; monitor MSCA for an electronic ROE, request a paper copy from the employer and send outstanding documents promptly.
What happens if I apply more than four weeks after my last day of work?
You may lose weeks of entitlement. File immediately whenever possible. If a delay was unavoidable, explain it when Service Canada asks for the circumstances.
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How many insurable hours do I need?
The threshold depends on your EI economic region’s unemployment rate. The published range is 420 hours where the rate is above 13% to 700 hours where it is 6% or lower, with intermediate thresholds between those rates. A prior EI violation can increase the requirement.
How much will regular EI pay in 2026?
For most claimants, the basic rate is 55% of average insurable weekly earnings. For limits effective January 1, 2026, maximum yearly insurable earnings are $68,900 and the maximum weekly benefit is $729. Your actual amount depends on your best weeks, divisor, earnings and region.
How long can regular EI last?
Regular benefits can last from 14 to 45 weeks. Service Canada uses your regional unemployment rate when the claim is filed and your insurable hours in the qualifying period.
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Apply and describe exactly what happened. Service Canada assesses the particular facts and applicable rules; the label alone does not determine the result.
When do I file EI reports?
Reports are normally due every two weeks. You generally have three weeks from the stated next-report date to submit one. Report all work, hours and earnings accurately, even when you have not yet been paid.
What can I do if Service Canada refuses my claim?
Read the decision and reasons in MSCA, gather information addressing the stated issue and request reconsideration within 30 days of the decision being communicated.
Is there a waiting week?
Normally, one week is unpaid for claims starting January 1, 2017 or later. Temporary measures can change the rule for a defined claim window, so check the current government page for your dates.
The Bottom Line
Apply online immediately after work stops, even without an ROE. Submit accurate identity and employment details, monitor MSCA, send missing records, and file every two-week report on time. Service Canada decides eligibility, amount and duration from your region, hours, earnings and circumstances.
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