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It was created to provide general EI information only.

How to work part-time while on EI

Earning while on EI rule

Yes, you are allowed to work while on EI. To calculate the deduction against your weekly benefits, the EI office will ask in your report to declare your total hours and gross amount earned for the specific EI week. There is no such thing as the maximum allowable hours you can work while on an EI claim. If you are collecting regular, fishing, parental, compassionate care or parents of critically ill children benefits, and you are working in part-time or occasional work, this working while on EI rule applies to you.

You will be able to keep 50 cents of your EI benefits for every dollar you earn, up to 90% of the weekly insurable earnings that EI office used to calculate your EI benefit amount. This 90% amount is called the earnings threshold. If you earn any money above the threshold, it will be deducted dollar for dollar from your EI, weekly payment.

You’re not eligible to receive EI benefits if you work a full week, regardless of the amount you earn. However, this won’t reduce the total number of weeks payable on your claim.

You may visit Service Canada’s website to see examples of calculations. Click here

How do I get paid?

If the gross earning deduction (the deduction rule above) exceeds the weekly benefits amount, you will not receive the EI cheque for that week. Since no cheque has been issued, you will not lose that benefit week. Your benefit weeks will therefore be pushed back 1 week. However, if after earning deduction, EI ends up issuing a $5 cheque, then it will count as 1 benefit week!

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