Employment Insurance Sickness Benefit: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn if you qualify for income support if you are unable to work due to illness and how to manage the waiting period.
This benefit provides temporary income support to workers who cannot work because of sickness or injury.
Who it's for
This program is designed for employees who find themselves unable to perform their job duties due to health reasons. To be eligible for these benefits, you must have worked a minimum of 600 hours within the last 52 weeks. This ensures that those who have contributed enough work hours in the recent year can access financial support while they recover.
What you get
If your claim is approved, you can receive income support for a period of up to 26 weeks. This support is intended to help cover your living expenses while you are unable to earn a regular paycheck due to your medical condition.
What it costs you
Applying for this benefit does not require a monetary fee. However, it does require an investment of your time to gather the necessary documentation. Most importantly, you must provide a medical certificate to prove your inability to work. You should ensure your healthcare provider can supply this document to avoid delays in your application process.
The catch to know
The most important thing to plan for is the waiting period. There is a mandatory one-week waiting period at the start of your claim. During this specific week, you will not receive any pay. You should plan your finances to account for this initial week of zero income.
How to apply
- Ensure you have worked the required 600 hours over the last 52 weeks.
- Contact your healthcare provider to obtain a medical certificate confirming your condition.
- Visit the official government portal to submit your application.
- Follow the instructions provided on the portal to complete your claim.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-sickness.html