Employment Insurance and Emergency Care Benefit Resources during COVID-19

The Federal Government has enacted several measures to help businesses and individuals with the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to stringent social distancing and state of emergency requirements, many employees may see a reduction in work hours. The list of resources below aims to educate business owners and employees on programs and financial resources available to those who are experiencing layoffs or a reduction in work hours.

The Emergency Care Benefit and Emergency Support Benefit have been replaced with the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). More information can be found here.

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE – TEMPORARY LAYOFF

• Employees are eligible for regular EI
• Typically, a minimum of 700 insurable hours are required
• Employer to provide a Record of Employment (ROE)
• 1 week waiting period (The waiting period has only been waived for the EI Sickness Benefit)
• 55% of weekly earnings up to a maximum of $573 per week
• More information on Temporary Layoff EI 

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE – TEMPORARY LAYOFF – EMPLOYER TOP UP

• Employer top up payments are deducted from EI payments
• If the Employer has registered a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Program (SUB) with Service Canada, payments from the SUB plan are not deducted from EI benefits
• More information on Employer Top Ups combined with EI payments 

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE – REDUCED HOURS OF WORK COMBINED WITH EI BENEFITS

• Titled EI Work-Sharing Program, designed to avoid layoffs
• Employees agree to a reduced work schedule
• Eligible employees receive EI benefits and continue to receive reduced employment income
• Program can now be extended to 76 weeks
• More information on Reduced Hours combined with EI 

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SICKNESS BENEFIT – UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO QUARANTINE & ILLNESS WITH SUFFICIENT INSURABLE HOURS

• No waiting period
• A minimum of 600 insurable hours required
• No medical certificate required
• 55% of weekly earnings up to a maximum of $573 per week
• More information on the EI Sickness Benefit

EMERGENCY CARE BENEFIT – UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO QUARANTINE & ILLNESS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT INSURABLE HOURS – EFFECTIVE APRIL 2020

• Workers, including self-employed, who do not qualify for EI sickness benefits, receive up to 15 weeks of benefits, up to $900 bi-weekly
• Application will be available via CRA, April 2020
• No medical certificate required
• More information on Emergency Care Benefit due to Quarantine & Illness without Sufficient Insurable Hours

EMERGENCY CARE BENEFIT – UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO THE REQUIREMENT TO TAKE CARE OF A FAMILY MEMBER SICK WITH COVID-19 WITHOUT SUFFICIENT INSURABLE HOURS – EFFECTIVE APRIL 2020

• Workers, including self-employed, who do not qualify for EI sickness benefits, receive up to 15 weeks of benefits, up to $900 bi-weekly
• Application will be available via CRA, April 2020
• No medical certificate required
• More information on Emergency Care Benefit due to Caring for a Sick Family Member without Sufficient Insurable Hours 

EMERGENCY CARE BENEFIT – UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURE AND REQUIREMENT TO CARE FOR CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF INSURABLE HOURS- EFFECTIVE APRIL 2020

• Parents with children, irrespective of whether they qualify for EI or not, receive up to 15 weeks of benefits, up to $900 bi-weekly
• Application will be available via CRA, April 2020
• More information on Emergency Care Benefit due to Caring for Children due to School Closure 

Thank you to our partner e2r Solutions for compiling these resources.