Employment Insurance and Emergency Care Benefit Resources during COVID-19

Vinay Khosla

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.

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.