EI Sickness Benefits

Key Facts

• Amount: 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $695/week (2025)
• Duration: Up to 26 weeks
• Waiting period: 1-week unpaid waiting period before payments begin
• Taxable: Yes, EI sickness benefits are taxable income

Who Qualifies

You may be eligible if:

• You are employed but unable to work because of sickness, injury, or quarantine
• Your regular weekly earnings have been reduced by more than 40%
• You accumulated at least 600 insurable hours in the 52 weeks before your claim (or since your last claim)
• You have a medical certificate from a doctor confirming you're unable to work

How EI Sickness Connects to Disability Benefits

EI sickness benefits are often the first stepin the disability benefits journey. Here's how the timeline typically works:

1. Weeks 1-26: EI Sickness Benefits — Immediate income support while you focus on treatment and recovery.
2. If disability persists: CPP Disability — Apply for CPP-D if your condition is severe and prolonged (expected to last 12+ months or be terminal).
3. Apply for DTC: While receiving EI or CPP-D, apply for the Disability Tax Credit. This unlocks the CDB, RDSP, and other benefits.
4. Provincial programs: Apply for provincial disability income support if needed (see provincial programs).

How to Apply

1. Get a medical certificate: Your doctor needs to confirm you're unable to work and estimate the expected duration
2. Apply online: Through Service Canada's My Service Canada Account
3. Get your Record of Employment (ROE): Your employer must submit this electronically (most do it automatically)
4. Complete the application: Apply as soon as you stop working — you can lose benefits for every day you delay (past 4 weeks after your last day of work)

Important Rules

• Don't delay your application. You can lose benefits if you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work.
• You can combine with other EI benefits.If you're also eligible for regular EI benefits, you may be able to receive both (up to a combined maximum of 50 weeks).
• Self-employed: If you opted into the EI program for self-employed people, you may also qualify for sickness benefits.
• Working while on EI sickness: You can earn up to 25% of your weekly benefit or $50 (whichever is higher) without any deduction. Earnings above that are deducted dollar-for-dollar.

After EI Sickness Runs Out

If you're still unable to work after 26 weeks, your main options are:

• CPP Disability — If you contributed to CPP and your disability is severe and prolonged
• Provincial disability income support — Programs like ODSP (Ontario), AISH (Alberta), SAID (Saskatchewan)
• Long-term disability insurance — If you have coverage through your employer

Related Benefits

• CPP Disability — Long-term pension for severe and prolonged disability
• Disability Tax Credit — Tax credits that unlock other benefits
• Canada Disability Benefit — $200/month for ages 18-64