Key Takeaways
- Eligible Canadians can receive 55% of their average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 per week in 2026.
- EI sickness benefits can last up to 26 weeks, depending on the claimant's medical circumstances and eligibility.
- Applications should be submitted promptly after stopping work because waiting more than four weeks may result in lost benefits.
How Much Can You Receive Through EI Sickness Benefits in Canada?
EI sickness benefits in Canada provide temporary income support when an employee cannot work because of illness, injury or quarantine. In 2026, eligible applicants can receive 55% of their average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $729 per week, for as many as 26 weeks.
The amount is calculated using your recent insurable earnings, not simply your current salary. Your actual payment may therefore be lower than the maximum, particularly if your income was modest or varied before your medical leave.
Who Qualifies for EI Sickness Benefits?
You generally need to meet three main conditions:
- You cannot work for medical reasons, including illness, injury or quarantine.
- Your regular weekly earnings have decreased by more than 40% for at least one week.
- You have accumulated at least 600 hours of insurable employment during the 52 weeks before your claim or since the beginning of your last claim, whichever period is shorter.
You must also be otherwise available for work if your medical condition did not prevent you from working.
Service Canada may request a medical certificate confirming that you cannot work and indicating the expected duration of your condition. Meeting the basic conditions does not guarantee approval because Service Canada makes the final eligibility decision.
How Much Does EI Pay Per Week in 2026?
The standard EI sickness benefit rate is 55% of average insurable weekly earnings.
| Average weekly insurable earnings | Estimated weekly benefit |
|---|---|
| $500 | $275 |
| $700 | $385 |
| $900 | $495 |
| $1,000 | $550 |
| $1,200 | $660 |
| $1,400 | $729 maximum |
For 2026, the maximum weekly payment is $729. This maximum applies to workers whose calculated benefit reaches or exceeds the limit.
For example, someone earning $1,000 in average weekly insurable earnings could receive approximately $550 per week before tax. Someone earning $1,400 would calculate 55% as $770, but the weekly payment would be capped at $729.
These are illustrative estimates. Service Canada calculates the actual amount using your insurable earnings and the applicable number of best weeks.
How Are Your EI Sickness Payments Calculated?
Service Canada reviews your insurable earnings during the qualifying period and identifies your highest-paid weeks, known as best weeks.
The number of weeks used generally ranges from 14 to 22, depending on the unemployment rate in your economic region.
Your total insurable earnings from those weeks are divided by the applicable number of best weeks. The resulting average is multiplied by 55% to determine your weekly benefit rate, subject to the maximum.
This is why two employees with similar annual salaries may receive different payments. Their earnings patterns and the applicable regional calculation can affect the result.
How Long Can You Receive EI Sickness Benefits?
Eligible claimants can receive up to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits.
The number of weeks actually paid depends on how long your medical condition prevents you from working and whether you continue meeting the program's requirements.
For example, someone recovering from surgery may need eight weeks away from work, while another employee undergoing a longer treatment period may require several months.
The 26-week maximum is not an automatic entitlement. You must provide sufficient information to support the period of medical inability to work.
If your condition is expected to be long-term or permanent, investigate other support programs, including Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits, where applicable.
Are EI Sickness Benefits Taxable?
Yes. EI sickness benefits are taxable income in Canada.
Federal and applicable provincial or territorial income tax is deducted from payments. This means the amount deposited into your bank account will generally be lower than your approved weekly benefit.
For example, an approved weekly benefit of $550 is not necessarily a $550 take-home payment. The final deposit depends on the tax withholding applied.
Keep your EI tax slip when preparing your annual income tax return. EI sickness benefits are special benefits, so the repayment rules that can apply to certain regular EI benefit recipients do not generally apply to sickness benefits.
How Do You Apply for EI Sickness Benefits?
Apply online through Service Canada's website as soon as you stop working. Waiting more than four weeks after your last day of work may cause you to lose benefits.
Before applying, prepare:
- Your Social Insurance Number.
- Employer names and employment dates for the past 52 weeks.
- Banking information for direct deposit.
- Your medical certificate.
- Records of Employment, if issued on paper.
Your employer generally sends electronic Records of Employment directly to Service Canada. You do not need to wait for every document before submitting your application.
After applying, you can monitor your claim through My Service Canada Account. A one-week waiting period generally applies before payments begin, although exceptions and temporary measures may affect individual claims.
Can You Receive EI If Your Employer Provides Sick Pay?
Possibly. Some employers provide paid sick leave, short-term disability coverage or an income top-up.
Before applying, check your workplace benefits and ask how the employer's payments interact with EI. Certain employer top-ups may be permitted without reducing EI benefits when the arrangement meets Service Canada's requirements.
Do not assume every employer payment is treated the same way. The type of payment, the plan's terms and the applicable EI rules matter.
TwikUp's Perspective
A medical leave plan should account for more than the weekly benefit estimate. Employees should compare their expected EI payments with essential expenses, employer benefits, insurance coverage and emergency savings.
If your employer offers short-term disability insurance, review its waiting period and payment conditions before deciding how to use your available coverage. A combination of workplace benefits and EI may provide more support than relying on one source alone.
For workers with conditions that may prevent employment for an extended period, planning the transition from temporary sickness benefits to longer-term disability support is equally important.
The goal is to protect financial stability while allowing enough time for recovery, without assuming that the maximum EI payment will cover every household expense.
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal or financial advice. EI eligibility and payments depend on individual circumstances and Service Canada's assessment. Confirm your entitlement directly with Service Canada.