Sickness Employment Insurance

In this article you will learn everything related to employment health insurance, eligibility issues, amount to be received, necessary documents and much more.

Sickness EI

If you meet the following criteria, you could be eligible for sickness benefits:

• Get a work that is insurable (employer deducted your EI premium on your paycheque).
• If you get sick or wounded (at work or elsewhere) and take a long time to recover.
• your regular weekly earnings have been cut by more than 40%.

How many hours do I work in order to qualify?

To satisfy the basic qualifying hours, you would have worked a total of 600 hours in the previous year, beginning on the day you finished working.

What is the sum of my EI weekly benefit?

The current weekly limit is $562, and it is paid out every two weeks by mailed check or direct deposit. For more details, see the EI benefit sum estimation page.

If your family is low-income, you could be eligible for a higher EI bonus (Family Supplement). Continue reading to learn more.

How many weeks of EI will I be qualified for?

Sickness EI is classified as a “private advantage.” It pays only for a limit of 15 weeks (excluding 1 weeks waiting period). Since Service Canada can need evidence of sickness, make sure you have a medical doctor’s report confirming the weeks of your sickness.

What papers do I need to submit for my application for sickness benefits?

1. Employment History (s). To increase your insurable earnings and thereby enjoy a higher gain week number, make sure to apply all of your ROE within the last 52 weeks.
2. A medical credential is required. You should have the doctor fill out the Service Canada template (form INS 5140) or use a doctor’s note. Be sure the doctor specifies the cause of your sickness and the time it will take you to heal (from when to when). Keep in mind that the full 15-week illness payout is only payable during the treatment time. And sure to add two weeks to account for the waiting time. That brings us to a total of 17 weeks.

How long will I have to wait until my first payout of sickness benefits?

It can take up to 28 days for an EI claim to be processed. A first letter should arrive in the mail, with an access code and directions for setting up your Service Canada online account. Before the first sickness bonus week starts, you will have to work for one week without pay. If you signed up for direct deposit, your check should come around a month after you sent your application.

In some circumstances, the two-week delay time may be waived or postponed. Consider the same scenario:

• The waiting period can be waived if you accept sick time pay from the employer during the final day of work; or if you receive group insurance premiums, you may serve the two-week waiting period during the last two weeks you receive these checks.
• If you’re transferring your claim from standard EI benefits, you won’t have to wait for two weeks.

Is it necessary for me to submit an EI report?

Yes, completing your EI online report is expected. When finishing your EI survey, make sure you are “not available” to work.

Requirements for medical certificates

When you file for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness care, you must have a medical certificate signed by a Medical Professional. You have two choices. You should get one of the following forms filled out and signed by the doctor:

• Medical Certificate with Employment Insurance sickness coverage from Service Canada or
• Their own medical certificate form.

This certificate must: Be readable; contain your medical practitioner’s letterhead or official stamp; show your name; and contain the start date and approximate period (if known) of your incapacity due to sickness, accident, or quarantine; have a handwritten, electronic, or stamped signature from your doctor.

Who has the authority to fill out and sign your medical certificate?

Hold your medical certificate in a secure spot after you’ve received it. If you need to email it to Service Canada, we’ll let you know. Keep it for six years in case we need it.