How Much EI Will I Get? Canada EI Guides 2026 ($30K

ESTIMATE

Estimates as of 3 November 2026, for information only — not legal advice or a decision on your claim; Service Canada decides eligibility and the exact amount. 2026 figures from Canada.ca: 55% benefit rate, maximum insurable earnings $68,900, maximum $729 a week (extended parental 33%, $437). Regional rates for 11 October to 7 November 2026.

How much EI will you get? These guides work through Employment Insurance in 2026 salary by salary — from $30,000 to $100,000 a year — and explain the rules behind the numbers: the 55% rate and $729 maximum, best weeks, how many weeks you can be paid in your region, maternity, parental and sickness benefits, working while on claim, quitting or being fired, tax and the repayment (clawback).

EI in Canada, November 2026

Waiting week waived for claims starting by 9 October 2027. National unemployment: 6.5% (September 2026, Statistics Canada).

55% benefit rate$729 max / week14–45 weeks$86,125 repayment threshold1.63% premium

Compare EI with your take-home pay

Use the Ontario take-home pay calculator to see what you bring home now — then compare it with the EI amounts below.

Open the take-home pay calculator →

How much EI will I get on my salary?

How much EI on a $30,000 to $65,000 salary

EI on a $30,000 salary$317/week EI on a $35,000 salary$370/week EI on a $40,000 salary$423/week EI on a $45,000 salary$476/week EI on a $50,000 salary$529/week EI on a $55,000 salary$582/week EI on a $60,000 salary$635/week EI on a $65,000 salary$688/week

How much EI on a at or above the $68,900 cap salary

EI on a $70,000 salary$729/week (maximum)EI on a $75,000 salary$729/week (maximum)EI on a $80,000 salary$729/week (maximum)EI on a $85,000 salary$729/week (maximum)EI on a $90,000 salary$729/week (maximum)EI on a $95,000 salary$729/week (maximum)EI on a $100,000 salary$729/week (maximum)

EI guides

EI by salary: 2026 table

Steady salary, no family supplement. After-tax figure is our Ontario withholding estimate. Last column: 38 weeks (full year of work in Toronto, 6.9%).

Salary	EI / week	Every 2 weeks	After tax (est.)	Extended parental	Max total, Toronto
$30,000	$317	$634	$317	$190	$12,046
$35,000	$370	$740	$362	$222	$14,060
$40,000	$423	$846	$400	$254	$16,074
$45,000	$476	$952	$437	$286	$18,088
$50,000	$529	$1,058	$479	$317	$20,102
$55,000	$582	$1,164	$522	$349	$22,116
$60,000	$635	$1,270	$565	$381	$24,130
$65,000	$688	$1,376	$608	$413	$26,144
$70,000	$729	$1,458	$639	$437	$27,702
$75,000	$729	$1,458	$639	$437	$27,702
$80,000	$729	$1,458	$639	$437	$27,702
$85,000	$729	$1,458	$639	$437	$27,702
$90,000	$729	$1,458	$639	$437	$27,702
$95,000	$729	$1,458	$639	$437	$27,702
$100,000	$729	$1,458	$639	$437	$27,702

How these EI numbers are worked out

Every article uses one set of inputs checked against official sources on 3 November 2026: the 2026 maximum insurable earnings of $68,900 and maximum weekly benefit of $729 from Canada.ca, the Table of Weeks of Benefits in Schedule I of the Employment Insurance Act, the regional unemployment rates Service Canada publishes for 11 October to 7 November 2026, and the temporary measures in EI Pilot Project No. 25 (Canada Gazette, 7 October 2026). Take-home pay comparisons use our 2026 Ontario salary engine. EI is decided claim by claim, so treat every figure as an estimate and check your own claim in My Service Canada Account.

A quick rule of thumb: weekly EI ≈ salary ÷ 52 × 0.55, capped at $729. On $50,000 that is $529; on $60,000, $635. Above $68,900 the answer is always $729.

FAQ

How much EI will I get in 2026?

55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week. Insurable earnings are capped at $68,900 a year, so anyone earning that or more gets $729.

What is the maximum EI benefit in 2026?

$729 a week for regular, sickness, maternity and standard parental benefits (up from $695 in 2025), and $437 a week for extended parental benefits.

How many weeks of EI can I get?

Between 14 and 45 weeks of regular benefits, depending on your insurable hours in the last 52 weeks and the unemployment rate in your EI economic region. Sickness benefits last up to 26 weeks.

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

Not for most claims right now: EI Pilot Project No. 25 waives the waiting week for claims that start between 11 October 2026 and 9 October 2027.

Do I have to pay tax on EI?

Yes, EI benefits are taxable and income tax is withheld from each payment. Regular benefits may also be partly repaid if your 2026 net income is over $86,125.

Assumptions & sources

Benefit rate and maximums: Canada.ca “EI regular benefits: How much you could receive” and the maternity/parental and sickness benefit-amount pages — 55% of average insurable weekly earnings; maximum yearly insurable earnings $68,900 from 1 January 2026 ($65,700 in 2025); maximum $729 a week ($695 in 2025); extended parental 33%, maximum $437.
Best weeks (14 to 22) and the weeks you can be paid come from the regional unemployment rate: Employment Insurance Act, Schedule I, and Service Canada’s “EI Program Characteristics” for 11 October to 7 November 2026 (rates are updated every four weeks).
2026 temporary measures: Canada Gazette Part II, SOR/2026-203 (EI Pilot Project No. 25, in force 11 October 2026) — waiting week waived and separation money not deducted for claims starting up to 9 October 2027; up to 20 extra weeks for long-tenured workers for claims starting up to 12 June 2027; only the most recent separation assessed.
Repayment (clawback): 30% of the lesser of regular benefits or net income above $86,125 (2026 = 1.25 × maximum insurable earnings). Premiums 2026: 1.63% of insurable earnings (Quebec 1.30%), maximum $1,123.07.
Tax withheld is our estimate: the weekly benefit annualized through 2026 federal and Ontario tax brackets with basic personal amounts (and the Ontario Health Premium). Service Canada’s actual deduction and your final tax depend on your total income for the year. Take-home pay while working: 2026 Ontario, from our Canada salary after tax engine.