Employment Insurance Benefits

What is Employment Insurance Benefits?

Employment Insurance benefits (EI) provides temporary financial assistance to Canadians who are unemployed or have lost their job through no fault of their own (e.g.: mass layoff, seasonal work)

There are several types of EI benefits available. The different benefits are:

• Employment Insurance Regular Benefits – available to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and who are available and capable to work but are unable to find a job.
• Employment Insurance Maternity and Parental Benefits provide support to individuals who are pregnant, have recently given birth, are adopting a child, or caring for a newborn.
• Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits available to individuals who are unable to work due to sickness or injury.
• Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits for individuals who have been temporarily away from work to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death.
• Employment Insurance Fishing Benefits provide support to qualifying, self-employed fishers who are actively seeking work.

Please refer to the Employment Insurance Facts Sheets for more information on individual Employment Insurance benefits.

For additional information regarding Employment Insurance Benefits, please contact Service Canada by telephone at 1- 800-O-Canada (1- 800- 622 – 6232) TTY 1- 800 – 926 – 9105 or the website at www.servicecanada.gc.ca.

If you wish to contact the Pensions and Benefits unit, please email us at pensionsandbenefits@opseu.org

This publication contains general information and is intended as a reference only. It is not intended as a substitute for independent legal advice regarding your particular situation.