EI Sickness Benefits 2025 – Get Up to $695/Week While Recovering!

Laid Up? EI Sickness Benefits Deliver Up to $695/Week for Recovery: Life comes without any guarantee. One day you are in good spirits at work. The next, you could be laid up by an illness or injury. During these times of unpleasantness, Employment Insurance (EI) Sickness Benefits set in as a buffer for survival in Canada, providing $695 per week to facilitate your recovery process without the pressure of making ends meet. They are designed for just such instances: injury, serious illness, or quarantine.

But what are the qualifying criteria? What are the steps involved in completing the application? And what are the other forms of sustenance? This guide takes you on a breakdown of these simple, clear steps so that you may ascertain your financial assistance.

EI sickness benefits worth $695 a week for 26 weeks are given to an applicant who cannot work for any medical reason. The application process is simple, but medical certificates and employer particulars are needed. If ineligible or needing help for the long haul, there are other forms of financial assistance in place. Recovering from an ailment is stressful; financial help should not be. Apply immediately, verify your documents, and follow the steps to obtain help!

Feature	Details
Maximum Weekly Benefit	Up to $695 per week
Percentage of Earnings Covered	55% of your average insurable weekly earnings
Benefit Duration	Up to 26 weeks (previously 15 weeks)
Eligibility Criteria	– Unable to work for medical reasons- Regular weekly earnings reduced by more than 40%– 600+ hours of insurable employment in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last claim
Application Process	Online through the Government of Canada website
Medical Documentation	A medical certificate from a doctor or approved medical practitioner is required
Waiting Period	1 week (unpaid) before benefits begin
Other Financial Aid Options	CPP Disability, Workers’ Compensation, Private Insurance, and Provincial Sick Leave Programs

Understanding EI Sickness Benefits

What Amount Can You Look Forward To?

The sickness benefit under EI offers 55% of your earnings on a weekly basis, to a maximum of $695 per week.

You are entitled to $440 per week as sickness benefit under EI if you earn $800 per week.
If the weekly remuneration of $1,500 per week is considered for sickness benefit under EI, $695 will be paid as sickness benefit (since it has a maximum cap).

How Long Can Benefits Be Claimed?

At present, benefits can be claimed for 26 weeks (it used to be 15 weeks). It has been amended considering the fact that some medical conditions may need a longer recovery time.

What Are the Criteria for Eligibility: Do You Meet Them?

You might be eligible if you meet the following criteria for EI sickness benefits:

• Medical Condition Preventing Work – You are unable to work for reasons of illness, injury, or quarantine.
• Lost at least 40% in Income – Your average weekly earnings currently fall at least 40% below your average.
• 600 completions in Insurable Work Hours – In the past 52 weeks, you have worked at least 600 hours with insurable earnings.
• Required for Medical Certificate – Medical condition must be duly certified by a doctor or appropriate medical practitioner.

Exception: Because you haven’t accumulated 600 hours, you may be eligible for other options such as provincial sick leave or disability assistance.

Eligibility Requirements: Do You Meet Them?

You may be eligible for EI sickness benefits if you can answer in the affirmative to the following criteria:

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

• Medical Condition Preventing Work – You are unable to work by reason of sickness, injury, or quarantine.

• Loss of Income of At Least 40% – Your average weekly income is at least 40% lower than normal.

Step 2: Submit an Online Application

• 600 Hours Worked in Insurable Employment – Within the past 52 weeks, you have worked in insurable employment for at least 600 hours.

• Certificate Required for Medical Certificate – Medical condition requires the appropriate certification by a doctor or other qualified medical practitioner.

Exception: Since you don’t have enough hours, other options such as provincial sick leave or disability benefits may fit your case.

Step 3: Submit the Required Documents

• Your employer may submit your ROE electronically. If not, request a copy for a manual submission. A medical certificate may also be requested of you.

Step 4: Receive Your Benefit Statement

• Immediately after applying, you will receive an access code with four digits. It can be used to track your claim’s progress and submit your biweekly reports.

Step 5: Payment

Your first payment will arrive after 28 days if all goes well. Funds will be deposited directly.

• Common Mistakes That Slow Down Applications
• Late application (greater than 4 weeks after ceasing work)
• Incorrect or missing information (especially employer information)
• Failure to submit a medical certificate
• Omission of biweekly reports

Don’t make these mistakes to avoid delays in your application!

What Else Is Available?

If you do not qualify for EI sickness benefits or if your illness persists beyond 26 weeks, you may be qualified for:

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefits – For long-term or permanent disabilities
• Workers’ Compensation – If the injury is work-related
• Private Short-Term Disability Insurance – Consult whether your employer operates such a plan
• Provincial Sick Leave Programs – Offered in some provinces

• Returning to work after sickness benefits under Employment insurance
• When you are ready, you can: . Start by returning to work progressively – a part-time re-entry followed by full hours. Ask for workplace accommodations, such as a lighter workload or remote work options for employees. Work-share benefit- this is the program that allows employees to continue receiving EI while working slightly less than usual.

Important note: Inform Service Canada if you return to work earlier or later than planned.

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