New temporary EI measures will expand access to Employment Insurance benefits for qualifying claims beginning October 11, 2026.
The federal government says the changes will affect how Service Canada reviews job separations and calculates payments for eligible claimants.
For claims that begin between October 11, 2026, and October 9, 2027, only the claimant’s most recent reason for separation will be reviewed under one of the temporary measures.
The broader package also waives the usual one-week waiting period and suspends deductions for certain separation earnings during the temporary period.
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Ei Benefits: What is changing for EI claims
Under the regular EI rules, a claimant’s employment history during the qualifying period can affect whether they establish a claim.
For example, employment and hours connected to a voluntary quit without just cause or a job loss caused by misconduct may normally be excluded when an EI claim is assessed.
The temporary measure changes that review for claims starting from October 11, 2026, through October 9, 2027.
If the claimant lost their most recent job through no fault of their own, all insurable employment and hours accumulated during the qualifying period will be used to establish the claim, according to the federal government.
This means a claimant’s latest job separation can become the key factor in the assessment, even if an earlier job in the qualifying period ended under circumstances that would normally affect eligibility.
Waiting period waived for new claims
The normal EI waiting period is also being waived for new claims that start between March 30, 2025, and October 9, 2027.
Normally, a claimant serves one unpaid week before regular EI benefits begin.
Removing that waiting period can allow eligible claimants to receive support sooner than they would under the standard process.
The government says a claimant may still choose to serve the waiting period if doing so is more advantageous because of a top-up through a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plan.
Separation earnings will not be deducted
The temporary rules also suspend the allocation of separation earnings for claims or allocations that start between March 30, 2025, and October 9, 2027.
Separation earnings can include payments such as vacation pay, pay in lieu of notice, severance pay, closure bonuses and sick-leave credits.
Under normal EI rules, those payments can be allocated from the week of separation and may reduce benefits payable during the affected period.
During the temporary measure, those separation earnings will not be deducted from EI benefits in the usual way.
The result may be a higher payment or earlier access to benefits for claimants who receive qualifying separation-related payments after losing their jobs.
Additional weeks remain available for some workers
A separate temporary measure may provide up to 20 additional weeks of regular EI benefits, to a maximum of 65 weeks, for eligible long-tenured workers.
That measure applies to claims beginning between June 15, 2025, and June 12, 2027.
To qualify, a claimant must receive at least one week of regular benefits and meet the federal definition of a long-tenured worker.
The definition includes receiving fewer than 36 weeks of regular or fishing benefits in the three years before the claim starts.
It also requires the claimant to have paid at least 30 per cent of the annual maximum EI premiums in at least seven of the 10 years before the year in which the claim begins.
Eligible claimants do not need to request the additional weeks separately because the government says they will be added automatically.
Who may benefit from the temporary EI rules
The measures may be particularly important for workers whose recent job ended through no fault of their own but who have a more complicated employment history.
They may also help people who receive severance, vacation pay or other separation-related amounts when they leave work.
However, the measures do not eliminate the other requirements for EI eligibility.
Claimants still need to apply, provide accurate information and meet the applicable requirements for insurable employment, availability and job-search efforts.
Service Canada will determine eligibility and the amount of benefits based on the claimant’s circumstances and the rules that apply to the claim.
What workers should do after losing a job
The federal government advises workers to submit an EI application as soon as they stop working.
Waiting to apply can delay the assessment and may affect the timing of payments.
Applicants should keep records of their employment, the reason their job ended, any separation payments and their efforts to find new work.
People who are unsure how the temporary measures apply to their situation can contact Service Canada or review the official EI guidance before submitting an application.
The measures are temporary and currently run until October 9, 2027, although the exact rule that applies depends on the claim start date or, for separation earnings, the start of the allocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new EI access rules begin?
The most-recent-reason-for-separation measure applies to EI claims beginning October 11, 2026, through October 9, 2027.
Will the EI waiting period be waived?
Yes. The normal one-week waiting period is waived for new EI claims starting between March 30, 2025, and October 9, 2027, although some claimants may choose to serve it if that is more advantageous.
What separation earnings are covered by the temporary measure?
Covered separation earnings can include vacation pay, pay in lieu of notice, severance pay, closure bonuses and sick-leave credits.
Does the temporary rule guarantee EI eligibility?
No. Applicants must still meet the other applicable EI requirements, including requirements related to insurable employment and availability for work.
How can workers apply for EI?
Workers should apply online as soon as they stop working and provide accurate information about their employment history, job separation and any separation payments.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, eligibility changes and payment-treatment rules were checked against the Government of Canada’s official Employment Insurance guidance updated October 6, 2026.
Disclaimer: EI eligibility and benefit amounts depend on each claimant’s circumstances, and Service Canada makes the final determination.