Employment Insurance
EI sickness benefits
Temporary EI payments when you cannot work because of illness, injury, or quarantine and meet insurable hours rules.
Commonly confused with
CPP disability, sickness benefits are short-term; CPP-D is longer-term.
The exact definition and rules can differ by program. Check the official rules for the benefit you are applying for.
Related terms
Pensions & seniors
Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
A monthly retirement pension based on your contributions while working. You can start as early as 60 or delay to 70 for a higher amount.
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CPP Disability Benefit (CPP-D)
A monthly payment from the Canada Pension Plan for contributors who cannot work regularly because of a severe and prolonged disability.
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Employment Insurance (EI)
Temporary income support for eligible workers who lose their job, are sick, on parental leave, or caring for family in defined situations.
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Insurable hours
Hours of work for which EI premiums were paid, counted toward the minimum needed to qualify for benefits.
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EI waiting period
A one-week period at the start of an EI claim for which no benefits are paid, serving as a deductible week.
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