CanadaHow many hours do I need to work to qualify for employment insurance benefits?
You generally need to have worked between 420 and 700 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks (or since your last EI claim, whichever is shorter) to qualify for regular Employment Insurance benefits in Canada.
What the Law Says
The Employment Insurance Act sets the basic eligibility condition that a person must have accumulated a minimum number of insurable hours to receive benefits after an interruption of earnings.
To qualify for regular EI benefits, you must be an 'insured person' who has experienced an 'interruption of earnings' and met the required minimum number of insurable hours of work.
The exact number of hours needed depends on where you live and the current employment conditions in your region — it ranges from 420 to 700 hours within the last 52 weeks (or since your last EI claim, if shorter).
These hours must come from employment covered by EI (i.e., 'insurable employment'), and you must have been employed in Canada with EI premiums deducted from your pay or paid as a self-employed person who opted into EI.
Statutory TextBenefits are payable to insured persons who have had an interruption of earnings and meet minimum hours requirements.
— Employment Insurance Act, s. 7 — Benefits payable to persons who qualify
What to Do
Confirm your insurable hours by checking your Record of Employment (ROE) or Service Canada account.
Apply for EI as soon as possible after your last day of work — delays may reduce or eliminate benefits.
If you’re unsure about your eligibility, use Service Canada’s EI Benefit Calculator or contact them directly.
Keep records of all employment, pay stubs, and ROEs in case verification is needed.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.