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

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

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

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

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

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