How to Apply for EI Sickness Benefits in Canada When You Cannot Work for Medical Reasons

Who can qualify for EI sickness benefits?

Employment Insurance sickness benefits are for eligible workers who cannot work for medical reasons and experience a substantial reduction in employment earnings.

You must demonstrate that:

• you are unable to work for medical reasons;
• your regular weekly earnings from work have decreased by more than 40% for at least one week; and
• you accumulated at least 600 insured hours of work in the 52 weeks before the start of your claim or since the start of your last claim, whichever period is shorter.

You must also remain otherwise available for work if it were not for your medical condition.

What medical reasons qualify for EI sickness benefits?

Service Canada recognizes medical reasons including illness, injury, quarantine or another medical condition that prevents you from working.

The decision is based on your inability to work for medical reasons rather than on one specific list of diagnoses.

How many weeks of EI sickness benefits can you receive?

You can receive up to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits. The actual number of weeks paid depends on how long you remain unable to work for medical reasons and whether you continue to meet the program conditions.

If you had another EI claim during the previous 52 weeks, you may not qualify for the full 26 weeks. If you accumulated enough insured hours since the earlier claim, you may be able to establish a new claim.

How much does EI sickness pay in 2026?

For most claimants, EI sickness benefits are calculated at 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to the annual maximum.

In 2026, the maximum EI sickness benefit is $729 per week.

Service Canada calculates your rate using your highest-paid weeks, known as your best weeks. Depending on the unemployment rate where you live, between 14 and 22 best weeks are used.

Can low-income families receive more?

You may qualify for the EI family supplement if your annual net family income is $25,921 or less, you have at least one child under 18, and you or your spouse receive the Canada Child Benefit.

If eligible, the supplement is added automatically. Your total weekly EI payment cannot exceed the applicable maximum of $729 in 2026.

When should you apply for EI sickness benefits?

Apply as soon as possible after you stop working.

Service Canada warns that if you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.

Do not wait for your medical certificate or Record of Employment before starting the application. Service Canada instructs applicants to submit the online application immediately and provide required documents afterward.

How to apply for EI sickness benefits online

The EI sickness application is completed online through the Government of Canada EI application service.

1. Open the online EI application.
2. Provide your Social Insurance Number and personal information.
3. Enter your employment history for the previous 52 weeks.
4. Explain why each employment ended.
5. Provide any required information about quitting or being dismissed.
6. Enter banking information if you want direct deposit.
7. Submit the application.

Service Canada states that the online application takes about one hour to complete. If you leave before finishing, the information is saved for 72 hours. After that, an unsubmitted application is deleted and you must start again.

What medical certificate do you need?

You need a medical certificate signed by your treating medical professional. You can use the Service Canada Medical Certificate for Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits or a certificate produced by the treating practitioner.

If the practitioner uses their own form, it must be readable and include:

• the medical professional's letterhead or official stamp;
• your name;
• the start date of your incapacity due to illness, injury or quarantine;
• the expected duration of your incapacity, if known; and
• the medical professional's handwritten, electronic or stamped signature.

Who can sign an EI sickness medical certificate?

Service Canada accepts certificates completed by eligible professionals when the medical condition is within their field of expertise. These include:

• medical doctors;
• chiropractors;
• podiatrists;
• optometrists;
• psychologists;
• dentists;
• midwives;
• nurse practitioners;
• registered nurses in isolated areas where a doctor is unavailable; and
• representatives of the Public Health Agency of Canada or provincial or territorial health authorities for quarantine events.

The practitioner should be practising in Canada or the United States.

Do you have to submit the medical certificate immediately?

Not always. You must obtain the medical certificate, but Service Canada may or may not ask you to submit it with your claim.

If Service Canada requests it, you can upload the certificate through My Service Canada Account, mail it or submit it at a Service Canada office.

If Service Canada does not ask you to submit the certificate, keep it for 6 years in case it is requested later.

How much does the medical certificate cost?

Service Canada does not charge a fee to apply for EI sickness benefits. However, the treating medical professional may charge you for preparing the medical certificate.

Service Canada does not reimburse this medical certificate fee.

Do you need a Record of Employment?

Yes. Service Canada uses your Records of Employment to determine whether you qualify and how much EI you can receive.

Electronic ROE

If your employer submits the ROE electronically, it is sent directly to Service Canada. You do not need to obtain and submit another copy.

Paper ROE

If your employer issues a paper ROE, request copies of all relevant ROEs for the previous 52 weeks or since the start of your last claim, whichever period is shorter, and provide them to Service Canada as soon as possible.

Can you apply before your employer issues the ROE?

Yes. Do not delay your EI sickness application because you are waiting for a Record of Employment. Submit the application as soon as possible and provide any required paper ROE afterward.

How long does EI sickness take to process?

If you qualify and Service Canada has all required information, you should receive your first payment about 28 days after you apply.

Processing may take longer if Service Canada needs missing documents, employment information or medical evidence.

Is there a one-week waiting period in 2026?

EI normally has a one-week waiting period during which no benefits are paid.

However, a temporary federal measure currently waives the waiting period for all new EI claims that start between March 30, 2025 and October 10, 2026.

This means a qualifying new EI sickness claim starting within that period generally does not have the normal unpaid waiting week. Service Canada notes that a claimant may still serve the waiting period if doing so is advantageous because of a top-up under a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plan.

What happens to severance or vacation pay under the temporary 2026 EI measures?

Normally, certain earnings paid because of separation from employment can be allocated against EI benefits.

Under the current temporary measure, if the EI claim or allocation starts between March 30, 2025 and October 10, 2026, separation earnings are not deducted from benefits. Examples listed by Service Canada include vacation pay, pay in lieu of notice, severance pay, closure bonuses and sick leave credits.

What happens after you submit the EI sickness application?

After Service Canada receives your application, it sends you a benefit statement by mail with a 4-digit access code.

You use this access code together with your Social Insurance Number to manage and report on your claim.

Receiving the benefit statement does not mean your EI sickness application has been approved.

How do you check your EI sickness application status?

You can monitor your claim through My Service Canada Account or contact Service Canada.

You should also check your account to make sure electronic Records of Employment from your employers have been received.

Do you have to submit EI reports while sick?

Yes. After applying, you normally submit reports every 2 weeks while receiving EI benefits.

You need your SIN and 4-digit access code to submit reports online or by phone.

After each report, Service Canada tells you when the next report is due. You have 3 weeks from that date to complete it.

What if you work or earn money while receiving EI sickness?

You must report all work and earnings on your EI reports.

Failure to report earnings can result in an overpayment that you must repay. Working while on an EI claim may reduce the amount of benefits payable depending on the applicable EI earnings rules.

What if you recover earlier than expected?

Contact Service Canada if you recover earlier than your medical certificate indicated.

You should also contact Service Canada if you need more time away from work than originally expected.

Can you get EI sickness benefits during pregnancy?

Potentially. If a medical condition or pregnancy complication prevents you from working, you may qualify for EI sickness benefits. EI maternity benefits may also be available if you meet their separate conditions.

Which benefit applies depends on your circumstances and whether you meet the conditions for each type of EI benefit.

What if your employer offers paid sick leave or short-term disability?

Before applying, check whether your employer provides paid sick leave, short-term disability coverage or an employer top-up.

An employer plan does not automatically mean you cannot qualify for EI sickness benefits, but payments from an employer can affect how EI rules apply to your claim.

What if your medical condition is long-term or permanent?

EI sickness benefits are temporary and provide a maximum of 26 weeks of assistance.

If your disability is expected to be long-term or permanent, other programs may be more appropriate, including Canada Pension Plan disability benefits or Quebec Pension Plan disability benefits, depending on where your pension coverage applies.

EI sickness benefits application checklist

• Confirm that you cannot work for medical reasons.
• Confirm that your regular weekly earnings have fallen by more than 40% for at least one week.
• Check that you have at least 600 insured hours in the applicable qualifying period.
• Apply online as soon as possible after stopping work.
• Do not wait for your ROE or medical certificate before starting the application.
• Get an acceptable medical certificate from an eligible treating medical professional.
• Check that electronic ROEs appear in My Service Canada Account.
• Submit paper ROEs promptly if your employer issued them on paper.
• Provide any documents Service Canada requests.
• Keep an unsubmitted medical certificate for 6 years.
• Watch for your benefit statement and 4-digit access code.
• Submit reports every 2 weeks while receiving EI.
• Report all work and earnings.
• Contact Service Canada if you recover early or require a longer period away from work.