Laid off and applying for EI? The temporary rules that could put more money in your pocket

For workers in Canada who lost their job and are applying for Employment Insurance (EI). As of October 2026.

Losing a job is hard enough without waiting weeks for money. A federal EI pilot project, first started in response to tariff-related job losses, now changes four rules for many new claims. Depending on your situation, they can mean you are paid sooner, for longer, or at all.

Who these rules cover

• They apply to EI claims whose benefit period begins on or after October 11, 2026.
• Most of the rules cover benefit periods that begin no later than October 9, 2027.
• The extra weeks rule ends sooner: it covers benefit periods that begin no later than June 12, 2027.
• They are temporary measures under EI Pilot Project No. 25 (SOR/2026-203).

The four temporary rules

1. No unpaid waiting week. The waiting period can be waived, so you can be paid for your first week without work. The government says this does not speed up processing or raise your maximum benefits. It applies to regular, special and fishing benefits.
2. Severance does not hold up your EI. Money paid because of a lay-off or separation, such as severance pay, is not counted as earnings for EI, so it does not delay or reduce your benefits.
3. Up to 20 extra weeks for long-tenured workers. Eligible long-tenured workers on regular benefits can get 20 more weeks, up to a maximum of 65 weeks. In short, a long-tenured worker paid at least 30% of the maximum yearly EI employee premium in 7 of the last 10 years, and was paid less than 36 weeks of regular benefits in the 156 weeks before the claim.
4. Only your last job loss is looked at. If your most recent job ended through no fault of your own, such as a lay-off, all your insurable hours and earnings in the qualifying period can count, even if you left an earlier job without just cause.

What you can do

1. Apply right away. Canada.ca says that if you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.
2. Do not wait for paperwork. Canada.ca says you can send required documents after you apply. Your records of employment (ROEs) are needed to decide your claim.
3. Report severance and other money when the application asks for it.
4. Check your work history if you have worked and paid EI premiums for many years: you may be a long-tenured worker.
5. Had a claim in the last year? Canada.ca says an existing claim with weeks left may be reactivated, and in some cases a new claim can be better. Ask Service Canada before you decide.

The point to remember

For new EI claims in this pilot period, there may be no unpaid first week, severance does not hold up your benefits, long-tenured workers may get 20 more weeks, and only your last job loss is examined. The rules are temporary, so apply as soon as you stop working.

Check the official pages before you act:

• Canada Gazette, Part II, SOR/2026-203: Regulations Amending the Employment Insurance Regulations (Pilot Project No. 25)
• Canada.ca, EI regular benefits: Apply

Join the conversation

Were you laid off recently? Share your questions in the comments. Please do not post your SIN, employer documents or other personal details.

This article is general information on Canadian law, as of October 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create a representative relationship. Always consult a licensed legal professional for your specific situation.