Extra EI for low-income families with children: up to 80% of earnings if net family income is $25,921 or less.
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.
The EI family supplement increases your benefit rate above 55% — up to 80% of your average insurable earnings — if your net family income is $25,921 or less a year, you have at least one child under 18 and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Benefit. It is added automatically, applies to every EI benefit type, and your total weekly amount still can’t exceed $729.
Three conditions
Low net family income, a child under 18, and the Canada Child Benefit.
$25,921 income limit80% top rateCCB requiredauto no form
Compare EI with your normal take-home pay
Open the Ontario take-home pay calculator to see your 2026 pay after federal and Ontario tax, CPP and EI premiums — the number EI is really replacing.
Service Canada uses the net family income from your most recent tax returns (and your spouse’s) as used for the Canada Child Benefit, along with the number and ages of your children, to calculate a supplement rate. The lower the family income and the more children you have, the higher the rate, up to 80%. The supplement shrinks as income rises and reaches zero at $25,921. If both spouses are on EI at the same time, only one of you can receive the supplement.
What the supplement can add (maximum case)
Average weekly earnings
Normal EI (55%)
At 80% (max)
Difference
$300
$165
$240
+$75
$400
$220
$320
+$100
$500
$275
$400
+$125
$600
$330
$480
+$150
$700
$385
$560
+$175
Upper bound. Your actual rate between 55% and 80% depends on family income and children; Service Canada calculates it and shows it on your benefit statement.
Example: $500 average insurable weekly earnings.
Who is likely to qualify?
Because the limit is net family income — both spouses combined — the supplement mainly reaches single parents and one-earner families with low wages. A single parent who earned $20,000 last year (about $385 a week) would get $212 a week at 55%, and potentially up to $308 with the supplement. A family where one spouse earned $30,000 is already above the limit, so a layoff would pay the standard 55% (see EI on a $30,000 salary).
Things to know
You don’t apply separately — answer the questions about children and your spouse on the EI application.
Keep your tax returns up to date; without assessed income the CCB, and so the supplement, may stop.
The supplement is taxable like the rest of your EI, and it is part of the benefits counted for the repayment test (at this income level the $86,125 threshold is far away).
It applies to regular, sickness, maternity, parental, caregiving and fishing benefits.
Check your take-home pay before and after
The Ontario take-home pay calculator shows your 2026 net pay after tax, CPP and EI premiums — the income your EI benefit is replacing.
An increase in the EI benefit rate, up to 80% of average insurable earnings, for families with children whose net family income is $25,921 or less and who receive the Canada Child Benefit.
What is the income limit for the EI family supplement in 2026?
$25,921 of net family income a year.
Do I need to apply for the family supplement?
No. Service Canada adds it automatically based on your EI application, your Canada Child Benefit information and your tax returns.
Can the family supplement take me above the EI maximum?
No. With the supplement your total weekly benefit still can't exceed $729.
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.