Changes coming to Employment Insurance sickness benefits

The federal government has announced a plan to improve Employment Insurance sickness benefits to help workers.

On Friday Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, announced that as of December 18, 2022, there will be a permanent extension of EI sickness benefits from 15 weeks to 26 weeks.

Anyone that qualifies for a new claim on or after December 18 will be able to receive up to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits. Sickness benefits are 55 percent of the applicant’s average weekly insurable earnings, up to a maximum entitlement of $638.