EI sickness benefits provide temporary income support when you can’t work because of an illness, injury or other medical condition.
Eligible workers can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks. In 2026, EI sickness benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 per week.
EI sickness benefits are federal, which means the same program applies across Canada. Your employment rights while you’re off work — including medical leave, accommodation and termination rights — can also depend on the province where you work.
⚠️ Your EI sickness benefits ending doesn’t mean you have to return to work before you’re medically ready.
If you still can’t work, you may have other options, including short-term disability, long-term disability or CPP Disability. Your employer also can’t simply ignore its duty to accommodate a disability.
On This Page:
- 1. What Are EI Sickness Benefits?
- 2. Who Qualifies?
- 3. How Much Do You Get?
- 4. How Long Do Benefits Last?
- 5. How to Apply
- 6. Medical Certificate
- 7. Working While on EI
- 8. When EI Sickness Runs Out
- 9. Your Job While Off Sick
- 10. Common Questions
What Are EI Sickness Benefits?
Employment Insurance sickness benefits provide temporary income when a medical condition prevents you from working.
Medical reasons can include:
- an illness
- an injury
- a mental health condition
- quarantine
- another medical condition that prevents you from working
You need medical evidence confirming that you’re unable to work for medical reasons and approximately how long you are expected to be off.
💡 EI sickness benefits are not the same as sick days from your employer.
EI is a federal government benefit. Employer-paid sick leave, short-term disability and long-term disability are separate forms of income protection.
Who Qualifies for EI Sickness Benefits?
To qualify for EI sickness benefits, you must meet the federal eligibility requirements.
For most employees, that means you must:
- be unable to work for medical reasons;
- have accumulated at least 600 hours of insurable employment during the qualifying period;
- have your regular weekly earnings reduced by more than 40% for at least one week because of your medical condition; and
- have a medical certificate supporting your inability to work.
The qualifying period is normally the shorter of the 52 weeks before your claim starts or the period since the start of your previous EI claim.
Do you need to be fired or laid off to qualify?
No. EI sickness benefits are designed for people who can’t work because of a medical condition. You can remain employed while receiving them.
Can you get EI sickness benefits for stress, anxiety or depression?
Yes. Mental health conditions can qualify when they prevent you from working and your medical provider supports the absence.
How Much Are EI Sickness Benefits?
EI sickness benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to the annual maximum.
For claims in 2026, the maximum payment is $729 per week.
| EI Sickness Benefit | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Benefit rate | 55% of average insurable weekly earnings |
| Maximum weekly payment | $729 |
| Maximum duration | 26 weeks |
Service Canada calculates your benefit using your highest-paid weeks of insurable employment. The number of weeks used in that calculation depends on the unemployment rate in your region.
Can your employer top up EI sickness benefits?
Yes. Some employers provide additional income while an employee is off sick. Check your employment agreement, workplace policies and benefit plan to see whether a top-up is available.
How Long Do EI Sickness Benefits Last?
You can receive EI sickness benefits for up to 26 weeks.
You won’t automatically receive all 26 weeks. Benefits stop when:
- you are medically able to return to work
- you reach the maximum number of sickness-benefit weeks available to you
- you reach the maximum benefits available when combining different EI benefit types
- your EI claim period ends
Can EI sickness benefits be extended beyond 26 weeks?
You can’t simply extend EI sickness benefits beyond the maximum 26 weeks because you’re still unable to work.
If your condition continues, you may need to look at another source of income, such as:
- short-term disability benefits
- long-term disability benefits
- CPP Disability benefits
- another EI benefit if you qualify
How Do You Apply for EI Sickness Benefits?
Apply through Service Canada as soon as you stop working because of your medical condition.
You don’t need to wait until every document is available before starting your application.
1. Start your EI application
Apply online through the Government of Canada EI system.
2. Make sure Service Canada receives your Record of Employment
Your employer normally sends your Record of Employment (ROE) electronically. If you receive a paper ROE, follow Service Canada’s instructions for submitting it.
3. Get a medical certificate
Your medical certificate must support that you’re unable to work for medical reasons and indicate approximately how long that inability is expected to last.
4. Complete your EI reports
Once your claim starts, you must complete reports every two weeks while receiving benefits.
⚠️ Don’t delay your application while waiting for your ROE or medical paperwork.
Start the EI application promptly and submit outstanding documents as required.
Do You Need a Medical Certificate for EI Sickness Benefits?
Yes. You need a medical certificate confirming that you can’t work for medical reasons and approximately how long the condition is expected to prevent you from working.
You don’t need to provide your employer with every detail of your diagnosis simply because you are taking medical leave. Your employer is entitled to enough medical information to understand your restrictions, expected absence and accommodation needs.
Who can provide the medical certificate?
Service Canada accepts certificates from authorized medical practitioners. The appropriate practitioner depends on the medical condition and the federal requirements that apply to the claim.
Can You Work While Receiving EI Sickness Benefits?
You can work or earn money while receiving EI sickness benefits, but you must report those earnings to Service Canada.
Your earnings can reduce the amount of EI you receive. Failing to report income can result in an overpayment that you have to repay.
💡 Returning gradually?
A doctor-supported gradual return to work can also raise accommodation issues with your employer. Keep your medical restrictions clear and in writing.
What Happens When EI Sickness Benefits Run Out?
If you still can’t work when EI sickness benefits end, don’t assume your only option is to return to work without medical clearance.
Your next step depends on your health, your workplace benefits and whether you’re medically capable of working.
Can you switch from EI sickness benefits to regular EI?
Yes, if you qualify for regular EI and you’re ready, willing and capable of working.
If you’re still medically unable to work, regular EI isn’t the right replacement simply because your sickness benefits have ended.
Can you switch to short-term or long-term disability?
Potentially. Check your employer’s disability plan as early as possible. Disability policies have their own definitions, waiting periods, application requirements and deadlines.
Depending on the plan, disability coverage can overlap with, replace or follow EI sickness benefits.
Read our guide to short-term disability vs. EI vs. long-term disability.
⚠️ Your disability insurer denied your claim?
A denial doesn’t mean the insurer made the right decision. Before giving up or returning to work before you’re medically ready, have the denial reviewed by a disability lawyer.
Can You Lose Your Job While Receiving EI Sickness Benefits?
Receiving EI sickness benefits doesn’t create automatic job protection on its own. Your job-protection rights come from employment standards legislation, human rights law, your employment contract and other applicable laws.
Your employer can’t fire you because of a disability or refuse accommodation up to the point of undue hardship.
Your employer may also have to hold your position while you are on a protected medical leave, depending on the province and the leave you qualify for.
Can your employer ask when you’re coming back?
Yes. Your employer can ask for reasonable information about your expected return, medical restrictions and accommodation needs.
You don’t have to provide unlimited access to your medical history. The information requested should relate to your ability to work and the accommodation required.
What if your employer pressures you to return early?
Don’t return to work against your doctor’s advice simply because EI is ending or your employer wants a firm return date.
If you can return with restrictions, your employer must consider reasonable accommodation. That can include modified duties, reduced hours or a gradual return where medically supported.
What if you’re fired while you’re off sick?
You can still have severance and human rights protections. Being on medical leave doesn’t prevent every termination, but an employer can’t terminate you for a discriminatory reason or avoid its accommodation obligations.
If you’re non-unionized and your employment ends while you’re off sick, have your termination and severance package reviewed before signing anything.
Learn more about severance pay in Canada.
EI Sickness Benefits: FAQs
How many hours do you need for EI sickness benefits?
You need at least 600 hours of insurable employment during the qualifying period. A previous EI violation can increase the number of hours required.
How much does EI sickness pay in 2026?
EI sickness benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 per week in 2026.
How long can you get EI sickness benefits?
You can receive up to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits if you continue to qualify.
Is there a waiting period for EI sickness benefits?
Yes. EI uses a one-week waiting period before payments begin, unless an exception or temporary measure applies.
Can EI sickness benefits be extended past 26 weeks?
You can’t extend the 26-week sickness-benefit maximum simply because you remain unable to work. You may need to consider disability benefits, CPP Disability or another EI benefit you qualify for.
Can you get EI sickness benefits for mental health?
Yes. Anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions can qualify when they prevent you from working and are medically supported.
Can you switch from sickness EI to regular EI?
Yes, if you meet the requirements for regular EI. You must be medically capable of working and satisfy the other eligibility requirements.
Can you collect EI sickness benefits and LTD at the same time?
The answer depends on the disability policy and how the benefits coordinate. LTD insurers can deduct other income benefits from what they pay. Review your policy before assuming you can receive both benefits in full.
What if Service Canada denies your EI sickness claim?
You can request reconsideration of an EI decision. The federal deadline is normally 30 days from the date the decision was communicated to you.
What if you’re self-employed?
Self-employed Canadians can access EI special benefits, including sickness benefits, if they opted into the federal program and meet its eligibility requirements.
What if you’re unionized?
Contact your union about your workplace leave, accommodation and return-to-work rights. Samfiru Tumarkin LLP’s employment law team does not assist with unionized workplace disputes.
Still Unable to Work? Know What Comes Next.
EI sickness benefits are temporary. Your legal rights don’t disappear when the payments end.
If you’re still medically unable to work, your employer is pressuring you to return, your disability benefits were denied or you were fired while off sick, get advice before making your next move.
The long-term disability lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help people across Canada with disability benefit claims. Our employment lawyers also help non-unionized employees in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia with medical leave, accommodation, termination and severance issues.
Denied doesn’t mean defeated.
➡️ Get Legal Advice or call 1-855-821-5900.