How to Calculate Your EI Payment When You Work Part-Time (Canada 2025)

Losing a job (or having hours cut) is stressful. The good news: you can work while on Employment Insurance (EI) and still keep part of your benefits.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How EI is calculated

• How part-time income reduces your EI payment

• A real example with numbers

• A simple formula you can reuse every reporting period

1) How EI benefits are calculated

For most people, EI regular benefits are 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a yearly maximum.

EI maximums (update these each year)

• 2025 maximum insurable earnings: $65,700 

• 2026 maximum insurable earnings: $68,900 

• 2026 maximum weekly EI benefit: $729/week 

Example: if your salary was under the max

Previous annual income: $55,000Average weekly earnings: $55,000 ÷ 52 = $1,057.69Weekly EI benefit: 55% × $1,057.69 = $581.73

Base weekly EI: $581.73

2) EI is paid in 2-week reporting periods

If you claim 2 weeks, your gross EI would be:

$581.73 × 2 = $1,163.46 (before taxes)

3) How “Working While on Claim” deductions work

If you earn money while receiving EI, the general rule is:

• You keep 50¢ of EI for every $1 you earn, up to a limit

• The limit is 90% of your previous weekly earnings

• Above that limit, EI is reduced $1 for $1

Continuing the example

Previous weekly earnings: $1,057.6990% threshold: 0.9 × $1,057.69 = $951.92/week

Reported earnings (2-week period): $905Weekly equivalent: $905 ÷ 2 = $452.50/week (below the 90% threshold)

EI clawback: 50% × $905 = $452.50

4) Final EI payment (after clawback)

Gross EI (2 weeks): $1,163.46Minus clawback: −$452.50✅ Final EI payment: $710.96

Note: EI is taxable, so the actual deposit can be lower due to withholding.

EI payment formula you can reuse

EI Payment = (Weekly EI × Weeks claimed)− (0.50 × earnings up to the 90% threshold)− (1.00 × earnings above the 90% threshold)

Quick summary (example)

• Previous income: $55,000/year

• Weekly EI: $581.73

• 2-week gross EI: $1,163.46

• Part-time earnings: $905

• EI clawback (50%): $452.50

• Final EI payment: $710.96

Important EI tips

• Always report all earnings (even small amounts).

• You can work part-time and still receive EI (with reductions).

• If you work a full week, you may receive $0 for that week, but your claim can continue.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how EI is calculated gives you more control during uncertain times. Whether you’re taking part-time shifts, freelancing, or earning side income, knowing how the clawback works ensures there are no surprises when your next EI payment arrives.