Employment Insurance in Canada: Eligibility, Benefits & Appealing Denials

Regular EI Benefits — Who Qualifies?

To qualify for regular EI benefits, you must:

• Have worked the required insurable hours in the past 52 weeks (varies by region: 420–700 hours depending on unemployment rate in your area)
• Have lost your job through no fault of your own — laid off or dismissed without cause
• Be available for work and actively seeking employment
• Not be disqualified due to a "misconduct" finding or "quit without just cause"

Benefit Rate & Duration

• Basic rate: 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum ($668/week as of 2025)
• Low-income family supplement: Can increase rate to 80% for families with net income under $25,921
• Duration: 14–45 weeks depending on region and hours of insurable employment
• Waiting period: 1-week waiting period (no benefits paid for first week after approval)

EI Special Benefits

Why Claims Are Denied: Disqualification vs. Disentitlement

Service Canada distinguishes between:

• Disentitlement: Temporary — you are not entitled to benefits for specific weeks (e.g., you were not available for work that week, did not report earnings)
• Disqualification: Permanent for the benefit period — you quit without just cause or were dismissed for misconduct. This is the most serious finding.

"Just cause" to quit includes: sexual harassment, unsafe working conditions, a fundamental change in working terms, discrimination, and similar circumstances. A resignation due to a hostile environment may be "just cause" — don't assume you cannot claim EI because you quit.

Appealing a Denial

1. Request a reconsideration from Service Canada within 30 days of the denial decision.
2. Appeal to the Social Security Tribunal (General Division — EI Section) within 30 days of the reconsideration decision.
3. Appeal to SST Appeal Division on a question of law, significant error of fact, or jurisdiction within 45 days of the General Division decision.