Quantifying Employment Insurance Benefits (8:VI): Difference between revisions
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== C. Effect of Earnings == | == C. Effect of Earnings == | ||
A claimant may work while receiving EI, however their benefits will be reduced. Under the “Working While on Claim” program, a threshold is set at 90% of the claimant’s weekly insurable earnings. For every dollar they earn below that threshold, their EI benefits are reduced by 50 cents. Above the threshold, EI benefits are deducted dollar-for-dollar. | |||
=== 1. Earnings During the Waiting Period === | === 1. Earnings During the Waiting Period === | ||
Revision as of 20:59, 21 September 2025
| This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on August 8, 2024. |
A. Benefit Rate
Section 14 of the EI Act outlines the benefit rate, which is typically 55% of the claimant’s weekly insurable earnings, subject to a maximum limit.
The current maximum weekly benefit ceiling stands at $650 per week. It is always important to verify this information on Service Canada’s “Employment Insurance Regular Benefits” webpage to ensure its accuracy, as it may be subject to updates.
As of January 1, 2024, the maximum yearly insurable amount has been set at $63,200.
B. Weekly Insurable Earnings
A claimant’s weekly insurable earnings are their insurable earnings in the calculation period divided by the number of weeks in the calculation period.
1. The Calculation Period
The calculation period is the number of weeks, consecutive or not, determined based on the applicable regional rate of unemployment as below, in which the claimant received the highest insurable earnings.
| Regional Rate of Unemployment | Number of Weeks |
|---|---|
| not more than 6% | 22 |
| more than 6% but not more than 7% | 21 |
| more than 7% but not more than 8% | 20 |
| more than 8% but not more than 9% | 19 |
| more than 9% but not more than 10% | 18 |
| more than 10% but not more than 11% | 17 |
| more than 11% but not more than 12% | 16 |
| more than 12% but not more than 13% | 15 |
| more than 13% | 14 |
C. Effect of Earnings
A claimant may work while receiving EI, however their benefits will be reduced. Under the “Working While on Claim” program, a threshold is set at 90% of the claimant’s weekly insurable earnings. For every dollar they earn below that threshold, their EI benefits are reduced by 50 cents. Above the threshold, EI benefits are deducted dollar-for-dollar.
1. Earnings During the Waiting Period
All earnings during the waiting period are deducted dollar-for-dollar from the benefits payable in respect of the first three weeks for which benefits are otherwise payable. There is thus little incentive to work during the waiting period.
2. Earnings of Sick or Pregnant Claimants under Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plan
Amounts paid to the claimant during periods of illness or pregnancy under an approved Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plan will not be deducted from EI benefits. These plans allow the employer to “top up” the regular EI benefits without reductions.
Individual Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plans must be approved by the Commission, which ensures that they meet the requirements of s. 37(2) of the EI Regulations.
An employee normally benefits from these plans while drawing EI benefits. If the worker is ineligible for EI, they may still qualify for Supplemental Unemployment Benefits that do not count as earnings for the purpose of determining waiting periods.
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