On November 25, the Government of Canada announced the permanent extension of Employment Insurance sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks, effective December 18, 2022*.
Those who qualify and reapply on or after December 18, 2022, will be able to receive up to 26 weeks of EI sickness benefits if they are ill and need this time to recover.
Employment Insurance sickness benefits are set at 55% of the claimant’s average weekly insurable earnings, up to a maximum of $638 for 2022.
This announcement will give employees greater peace of mind during their convalescence.
Private plans
Please note that this enhanced EI coverage should be taken into consideration when renewing your group insurance and long-term disability (LTD) benefits. Many companies offer their disability benefits after 16 weeks, but may need to re-evaluate their needs and thus the total cost of their insurance coverage.
To consult the official government press release >>>
Please do not hesitate to contact our Human Capital team for further information.
* Claims submitted before December 18, 2022 will cover a maximum of 15 weeks.
