Ottawa, March 15, 2026, Employment Insurance plays a vital role in supporting workers across Canada who lose their jobs unexpectedly. In recent years, the federal government introduced several temporary adjustments to the program to help people navigate economic uncertainty and labour market disruption.
These temporary rules have allowed many unemployed workers to receive benefits faster, keep their severance payments, and even extend the length of their support. However, these measures are not permanent.
Three special Employment Insurance provisions are scheduled to expire on April 11, 2026. For Canadians who may face layoffs before that deadline, these rules could make a significant financial difference.
In some cases, the combined value of these temporary changes could add up to more than $15,000 in extra income support.
This guide explains the three temporary EI rules, how they work, who qualifies, and what workers should know before the deadline arrives.
To support workers during economic uncertainty, the government implemented three temporary changes to the Employment Insurance program.
These measures significantly change how EI claims work if they start before April 11, 2026.
| EI Feature | Standard EI Rules | Temporary Rules (Until April 11, 2026) | Potential Financial Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waiting period | 1 unpaid week | Completely waived | Up to $729 |
| Severance pay treatment | Delays EI benefits | No deduction from benefits | Thousands of dollars |
| Maximum benefit duration | Up to 45 weeks | Up to 65 weeks | Up to $14,580 |
These temporary rules apply to new claims made within the eligible window regardless of industry or reason for unemployment.
Under normal circumstances, workers must wait one week after filing their claim before they begin receiving Employment Insurance benefits.
This waiting period functions similarly to an insurance deductible. It means workers do not receive EI payments during their first week of unemployment.
The temporary measure eliminates this waiting period entirely.
| Scenario | Standard Rules | Temporary Rules |
|---|---|---|
| First week unemployed | No EI payment | Full weekly benefit |
| First payment received | Week 3 of unemployment | Week 2 of unemployment |
| Maximum loss avoided | Up to $729 | $0 |
For workers receiving the maximum weekly EI payment, skipping the waiting period can add $729 to their benefits.
The waiting period waiver applies to:
The rule applies across all provinces and industries.
Some employers offer Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plans that top up EI payments.
In certain cases, workers may choose to serve the waiting period if it increases their combined income from employer top up payments.
Employees should confirm the rules of their workplace plan before making that decision.
Another temporary rule significantly changes how severance payments interact with EI benefits.
Normally, severance pay is considered separation earnings. This means it must be allocated over several weeks following the end of employment.
As a result, workers receiving severance may have to wait weeks or months before they become eligible to receive EI payments.
| Payment Type | Standard Treatment | Example Result |
|---|---|---|
| Severance pay | Allocated across severance period | EI delayed |
| Vacation payout | Allocated across payout period | EI delayed |
| Pay in lieu of notice | Allocated across notice period | EI delayed |
If a worker receives 12 weeks of severance pay, their EI claim may be delayed for 12 weeks.
The temporary measure removes this allocation requirement.
Workers can receive both their severance payment and EI benefits at the same time.
| Payment Type | Temporary Treatment | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Severance | No allocation | EI begins immediately |
| Vacation payout | No allocation | Benefits not delayed |
| Pay in lieu of notice | No allocation | Full EI payments |
| Worker Example | Severance Amount | Weekly EI | Normal Delay | Additional EI Received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office employee | $15,000 | $600 | 10 weeks | $6,000 |
| Tech worker | $30,000 | $729 | 15 weeks | $10,935 |
| Manager | $50,000 | $729 | 20 weeks | $14,580 |
| Factory worker | $8,000 | $550 | 6 weeks | $3,300 |
For workers receiving large severance packages, this rule can dramatically increase total income during unemployment.
A third temporary measure provides additional benefits for long tenured workers.
Eligible individuals can receive 20 extra weeks of EI benefits, increasing the maximum duration from 45 weeks to 65 weeks.
Workers must meet several requirements.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Claim start date | Between June 15, 2025 and April 11, 2026 |
| Recent EI usage | Fewer than 36 weeks of EI in last 3 years |
| Contribution history | Paid EI premiums in at least 7 of last 10 years |
This measure is designed to support workers who have long employment histories and limited use of EI benefits.
| Weekly Benefit | Value of 20 Extra Weeks |
|---|---|
| $729 | $14,580 |
| $600 | $12,000 |
| $500 | $10,000 |
| $400 | $8,000 |
These extra weeks can be particularly valuable for experienced workers who may need additional time to find comparable employment.
Employment Insurance benefits are calculated using a worker’s insurable earnings.
The maximum weekly benefit is updated each year.
| Metric | 2026 Amount | 2025 Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum weekly EI benefit | $729 | $695 |
| Maximum insurable earnings | $68,900 | $65,700 |
| Employee premium rate | $1.63 per $100 | $1.64 per $100 |
| Maximum annual premium | $1,123.07 | $1,077.48 |
Workers receive 55 percent of their average weekly insurable earnings.
The weekly benefit formula is based on average earnings during the qualifying period.
| Average Weekly Earnings | Calculation | Weekly EI Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| $800 | 800 × 55% | $440 |
| $1,000 | 1,000 × 55% | $550 |
| $1,200 | 1,200 × 55% | $660 |
| $1,326+ | 1,326 × 55% | $729 (maximum) |
Workers earning approximately $1,326 per week or more qualify for the maximum benefit.
Eligibility for EI depends on the unemployment rate in each region.
Regions with higher unemployment rates require fewer hours of work to qualify.
| Region | Hours Required | Weeks of Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 700 hours | 14 to 36 weeks |
| Vancouver | 700 hours | 14 to 36 weeks |
| Montreal | 700 hours | 14 to 36 weeks |
| Northern regions | 420 to 560 hours | Up to 45 weeks |
Workers should check the requirements for their specific economic region when applying.
April 11, 2026 is the official end date for the temporary EI measures.
Claims that begin before this date can still qualify for the temporary rules.
| Claim Start Date | Waiting Period | Severance Treatment | Extended Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before April 11, 2026 | Waived | No deduction | Available |
| On April 11, 2026 | Waived | No deduction | Available |
| After April 12, 2026 | 1 week wait | Normal rules | Not available |
The difference in timing could significantly affect the total value of benefits.
Workers should apply for EI as soon as they stop working.
Applications can be submitted online through Service Canada.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stop working |
| 2 | Obtain Record of Employment |
| 3 | Submit online EI application |
| 4 | Complete biweekly reports |
| 5 | Receive payments through direct deposit |
Applicants will need their Social Insurance Number, banking details, and employment history.
Once the temporary rules expire, the EI program will return to its standard structure.
| EI Feature | After Expiry |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 1 week unpaid |
| Severance treatment | Delays EI benefits |
| Maximum benefit duration | 45 weeks |
| Long tenured worker extension | Removed |
Workers should prepare for these changes if layoffs occur later in 2026.
Employment Insurance allows workers to earn income while still receiving partial benefits.
The system reduces benefits gradually as earnings increase.
| Earnings | Benefit Adjustment |
|---|---|
| $100 earned | EI reduced by $50 |
| $300 earned | EI reduced by $150 |
| Up to 90% of previous income | Partial EI allowed |
| Above 90% | EI stops |
This rule encourages workers to accept part time work while looking for full time employment.
Many federal support programs remain available while receiving EI.
| Program | Compatible with EI |
|---|---|
| GST/HST Credit | Yes |
| Canada Child Benefit | Yes |
| Canada Groceries Benefit | Yes |
| Old Age Security | Yes |
However, some income tested programs may adjust payment amounts depending on EI income.
The three temporary Employment Insurance measures provide meaningful financial support for workers facing unemployment.
The removal of the waiting period, the ability to receive severance alongside EI payments, and the extended benefit duration for long tenured workers can significantly increase total income support.
However, these measures are scheduled to end on April 11, 2026.
For workers who may experience job loss before that date, understanding these rules can make a major financial difference. Planning ahead and applying promptly can help ensure access to the full range of available benefits.
