Self-employment by itself does not create entitlement to regular EI when a business slows down. However, a person who also has separate insurable employment may qualify for regular EI through that employment if the regular EI rules are met. The voluntary self-employed EI agreement provides access to special benefits such as maternity, parental, sickness, caregiving and compassionate care benefits.
2026 Self-Employed EI Estimator
This calculator is an illustrative estimate, not an EI eligibility decision. It uses your estimated 2026 net self-employment income for premiums and your 2025 net self-employment earnings for a simplified benefit-rate estimate. Service Canada determines the final entitlement and amount.
2026 eligibility rules that matter
| Requirement | 2026 rule |
|---|---|
| Who can participate | You generally need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, own your business, or control more than 40% of a corporation's voting shares. |
| Agreement | Enter into the agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission through My Service Canada Account and keep it active for at least 12 months before receiving special benefits. |
| 2026 minimum earnings | At least $9,254.00 of net self-employed earnings in 2025, for claims established in 2026. |
| Reduction in business activity | You must have reduced the time you spend working on the business by more than 40% for at least one week and meet the conditions of the specific benefit claimed. |
| Premiums outside Quebec | 1.63% of self-employment income, up to $1,123.07 in 2026. |
| Premiums in Quebec | 1.30% of self-employment income, up to $895.70 in 2026. Quebec administers maternity and parental benefits through QPIP. |
What special benefits are available?
| Benefit | Rate | Maximum for one claimant | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity benefits | 55% | 15 weeks | For the person who is pregnant or has recently given birth. Not shared between parents. |
| Standard parental benefits | 55% | 35 weeks (40 shareable) | Up to 40 weeks can be shared between parents, but one parent can receive no more than 35 weeks. |
| Extended parental benefits | 33% | 61 weeks (69 shareable) | Up to 69 weeks can be shared between parents, but one parent can receive no more than 61 weeks. |
| Sickness benefits | 55% | 26 weeks | For a person who cannot work for medical reasons. |
| Family caregiver benefits for children | 55% | 35 weeks | For care or support of a critically ill or injured child under 18; weeks can be shared among eligible caregivers. |
| Family caregiver benefits for adults | 55% | 15 weeks | For care or support of a critically ill or injured person 18 or older; weeks can be shared among eligible caregivers. |
| Compassionate care benefits | 55% | 26 weeks | For end-of-life care or support for a person with a serious medical condition and a significant risk of death within 26 weeks. |
The 2026 federal EI maximum is $729.00 per week for benefits paid at 55%. Extended parental benefits are capped at $437.00 per week. These maximums do not mean every claimant will receive the maximum.
Registration and withdrawal
- Register through the EI section of My Service Canada Account and review your self-employed agreement status there.
- You can withdraw within 60 days without owing premiums; after 60 days, premiums are generally payable through December 31 of the withdrawal year.
- After receiving self-employed special benefits, you cannot withdraw while remaining self-employed and must continue paying premiums.
Earnings while receiving EI
Self-employed claimants must report their work, hours and earnings while receiving EI. Continuing business activity is not automatically disqualifying, but you generally need to reduce the time devoted to your business by more than 40%. Earnings while on claim can also affect benefit payments.
How to apply
- Confirm that you meet the self-employed definition and the 2026 earnings and agreement requirements.
- Check your self-employed agreement status in My Service Canada Account.
- When you experience the event that qualifies for the specific benefit, apply as soon as the reduction in business activity occurs. Delaying a claim can affect benefits.
- Provide the documents required for your benefit, such as medical documentation or birth/adoption information where applicable.
- Report all required work, hours and earnings while receiving EI.
Tax treatment
EI benefits are taxable income. CRA says EI benefits are reported using the T4E information you receive, so include the taxable amount in the appropriate tax-return reporting for the year in which the benefit was paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Benefits for self-employed people — Canada.ca
- Self-employed EI eligibility — Canada.ca
- Self-employed EI premiums — Canada.ca
- Self-employed EI withdrawal rules — Canada.ca
- EI services in My Service Canada Account — Canada.ca
- EI maternity and parental benefits — Canada.ca
- EI caregiving benefits — Canada.ca
- CRA: Employment Insurance and other benefits — Canada.ca
2026 key figures
Practical checklist
- ✓ Confirm your self-employed status under EI rules.
- ✓ Check your agreement date in MSCA.
- ✓ Keep your prior-year net earnings records.
- ✓ Know which special benefit fits your situation.
- ✓ Report work, hours and earnings while on claim.
Related Benefits Portals
Important scope note
This page is designed for general Canadian information. Quebec maternity and parental benefits are administered under QPIP, and someone with both self-employment and separate insurable employment may have a different benefit calculation. An official Service Canada decision controls eligibility and payment.