EI Sickness Benefits in Ontario: What They Are, What They Pay, and How to Apply

Published on
September 26, 2026
Written by Saad Mirza

EI sickness benefits are federal Employment Insurance payments available to workers who are unable to work due to illness, injury, or quarantine. They are administered by Service Canada and available to eligible employees across Ontario and Canada.

They are not the same as your employer’s sick days or a private short-term disability plan. They are a government income replacement program you contribute to through your EI premiums

If you cannot work because of a medical condition — physical or mental — Employment Insurance sickness benefits may replace a portion of your income while you recover. Here is everything you need to know…

What Qualifies for EI Sickness Benefits

You qualify if you are unable to work due to:

A physical illness or injury
A mental health condition — including anxiety, depression, and burnout
Quarantine ordered by a medical authority
Any medical condition that prevents you from performing your regular duties

Your doctor or nurse practitioner must confirm your inability to work. You do not need a specific diagnosis — a medical certificate confirming you cannot work is sufficient.

Who Is Eligible

To receive EI sickness benefits you must:

Have accumulated 600 insurable hours of work in the past 52 weeks
Have experienced a reduction in earnings of more than 40 percent
Be employed — not self-employed, unless you have opted into the EI self-employed program

Part-time workers qualify as long as they have accumulated 600 insurable hours. Hours from multiple jobs count toward this total.

How Much Do EI Sickness Benefits Pay

EI sickness benefits pay 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings — up to a maximum of approximately $695 per week in 2026.

That maximum is based on the annual maximum insurable earnings set by the federal government. If you earn above that threshold, your benefit is still capped at the maximum weekly amount.

Some employers top up EI sickness benefits through a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) plan — bringing your total closer to your regular salary. Check your employment contract or benefits booklet to see if this applies to you.

How Long Do EI Sickness Benefits Last

EI sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement.

If your condition extends beyond 15 weeks, you may need to transition to:

Your employer’s long-term disability plan if one exists
CPP Disability benefits if your condition is severe and prolonged
Other provincial or federal support programs

Is There a Waiting Period

Yes. There is a one-week waiting period before your benefits begin — similar to a deductible. You do not receive payment for this first week. It applies to everyone and cannot be waived in most circumstances.

Apply as early as possible to minimize the impact of this waiting period on your finances.

How to Apply for EI Sickness Benefits

Step 1 — Apply online immediately
Apply at canada.ca/ei-sickness as soon as you stop working. Do not wait until you feel better or until your employer’s sick days run out. Delays reduce your total benefit period.

Step 2 — Get medical documentation
Ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to complete the medical certificate confirming your inability to work. Service Canada will request this as part of your application.

Step 3 — Get your ROE
Your employer must issue a Record of Employment within five calendar days of your last day of work. Service Canada uses this to calculate your benefit amount. If your employer delays, report it.

Step 4 — Check your My Service Canada Account
Once your application is submitted, track its status online. Service Canada may request additional information — respond promptly to avoid delays.

EI Sickness Benefits for Mental Health

Yes — mental health conditions qualify. Anxiety, depression, burnout, PTSD, and other mental health conditions are recognized medical conditions under the EI sickness benefits program.

Your doctor simply needs to certify that your condition prevents you from working. You do not need to disclose your specific diagnosis to Service Canada or your employer beyond what is required for the medical certificate.

EI Sickness Benefits vs. Disability Benefits

These are different programs:

#	EI Sickness Benefits	CPP Disability
Duration	Up to 15 weeks	Long-term — ongoing
Who administers	Service Canada	Canada Pension Plan
For	Short-term inability to work	Severe and prolonged disability
Application	Online at Service Canada	Separate CPP application

If your condition is short-term, EI sickness benefits apply. If it is severe, prolonged, and prevents you from working any job regularly, CPP Disability may be the appropriate program.

Your Job Protection During Medical Leave

EI sickness benefits provide income replacement — but job protection comes from Ontario’s Employment Standards Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Under the ESA, most employees are entitled to up to three days of unpaid sick leave per year. For longer absences, your employer has a duty to accommodate your medical condition up to the point of undue hardship.

Your employer cannot fire, demote, or penalize you for taking a medical leave. Doing so may constitute both wrongful dismissal and discrimination under the Human Rights Code.

The bottom line: If a medical condition is keeping you from work, apply for EI sickness benefits immediately — do not wait. The one-week waiting period starts from your application date, not when you feel ready to file. And if your employer makes your situation harder rather than easier during a medical leave, Ontario law protects you. Know both sides of this.