EI sickness benefits pay you for up to 26 weeks when you can’t work because of an illness, injury, quarantine or other medical reason. In 2026 they pay 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings, up to $729 a week. You need 600 hours of insurable work in the past 52 weeks and a medical certificate.
How much you can get in 2026
| What | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Benefit rate | 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings |
| Most you can get a week | $729 |
| Most weeks | 26 |
| Most yearly earnings EI counts | $68,900 |
| Family supplement income limit | Net family income of $25,921 or less |
Service Canada works out your average from your best-paid weeks in the last 52 weeks. The number of best weeks is between 14 and 22, depending on the unemployment rate in your region. Insurable earnings include wages, tips, bonuses and commissions. The EI benefits estimator gives you a figure before you apply.
Example: if your average insurable earnings are $800 a week, sickness benefits pay $440 a week. If you earn more than the yearly maximum, you get the cap of $729.
You get the full 26 weeks only if your doctor or other medical professional says you’ll be off that long. The number of weeks depends on your medical situation.
The family supplement
If your net family income is $25,921 a year or less and you have children, EI may add a family supplement to your payment. Your total still can’t go over $729 a week. See our Canada Child Benefit guide for the child benefit that goes with it.
Who qualifies
You may qualify if all of these apply:
- You can’t work for medical reasons.
- Your regular weekly earnings from work dropped by more than 40% for at least one week.
- You worked at least 600 hours of insurable employment in the 52 weeks before your claim, or since the start of your last claim, whichever is shorter.
- You would be available for work if it weren’t for your medical condition.
If you got EI in the past 52 weeks, you may get fewer weeks. You may still be able to start a new claim if you’ve worked enough hours since. Our EI eligibility guide explains insurable hours.
Check your job’s benefits first. Many employers offer paid sick leave or short-term disability insurance. Ask your employer or plan how it works with EI before you apply.
The medical certificate
You need a medical certificate that says you can’t work, when your condition started and how long it’s expected to last. A doctor, nurse practitioner, psychologist or other licensed medical professional can sign it. They can use Service Canada’s form or their own certificate.
- You may be asked to send it with your application, or later.
- If you’re not asked for it, keep it for six years in case Service Canada asks.
- Your practitioner may charge a fee. Service Canada doesn’t pay it back.
How to apply
- Apply online as soon as you stop working. If you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. Don’t wait for the certificate or your Record of Employment before applying.
- Have your details ready: your SIN, your employers from the past 52 weeks (names, addresses, dates and why you stopped), and your bank details for direct deposit.
- Check your Records of Employment. Most employers send them electronically. If you got a paper ROE, you have to send it to Service Canada yourself.
- Get your medical certificate and send it or keep it, as described above.
- Watch the mail for your access code. You’ll need it for your reports. You can track your claim in My Service Canada Account.
The online form takes about an hour and saves your answers for 72 hours.
When payments start
There’s normally one unpaid waiting week at the start of a claim. Under a temporary measure, the waiting week is waived for new EI claims that start between March 30, 2025 and October 10, 2026. Claims that start after that have the usual waiting week unless the government extends the measure.
If you’re eligible and have sent everything needed, your first payment comes about 28 days after you apply. After that, you must fill in a report every 2 weeks for as long as you get benefits, and you have 3 weeks to finish each one. See our EI online reporting guide and the EI payment dates.
Working while you’re sick
If you can do some work, you can keep 50 cents of your benefits for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of your previous weekly earnings. Above that, earnings come off dollar for dollar. Report all earnings on your reports.
You can’t get sickness benefits for any week you work a full work week, no matter how much you earn. The working while on claim page has worked examples.
When benefits end
- Your medical condition no longer keeps you from working.
- You’ve used all your weeks (up to 26).
- Your benefit period ends. It’s usually 52 weeks and can sometimes be extended.
You generally can’t get sickness benefits while you’re outside Canada, unless you’re getting medical treatment that isn’t available here. Tell Service Canada before you travel.
If Service Canada turns you down, you can ask for a reconsideration within 30 days of the decision.
If your illness is long-term
EI sickness is for short-term absences. If a severe condition keeps you from working for a long time or permanently, look at CPP Disability benefits (or the Québec Pension Plan disability pension in Quebec). You can apply while you’re on EI. Our becoming disabled checklist lists other programs, including the Canada Disability Benefit.
Things to watch for
- Applying late. More than 4 weeks after your last day of work can cost you benefits.
- Missing reports. Payments stop if you don’t send your reports every 2 weeks.
- Not reporting earnings. If you don’t report work, you may have to repay benefits.
- Throwing out the certificate. Keep it for six years.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for a payment or gift cards to release a benefit. If a call, text or email asks for money or your banking details to “unlock” a payment, don’t click or reply. Contact the program yourself using the numbers on this page, and see our scam guide.
Common questions
How much is EI sickness per week in 2026?
55% of your average weekly insurable earnings, up to $729 a week.
How long can I get EI sickness benefits?
Up to 26 weeks, depending on what your medical certificate says about how long you’ll be off.
Do I need a doctor’s note for EI sickness?
Yes. A doctor, nurse practitioner or other licensed medical professional must sign a medical certificate. Keep it for six years if you aren’t asked to send it.
Is there a waiting week for EI sickness benefits?
Normally one week. It’s waived for new claims that start between March 30, 2025 and October 10, 2026.
Can I work part-time while on EI sickness?
Yes, but you keep only 50 cents of benefits per dollar earned, up to 90% of your previous weekly earnings. No benefits are paid for a week you work full time.
What if I’m still sick after 26 weeks?
EI sickness benefits end, but you may qualify for CPP Disability if your condition is severe and long-lasting.
