New EI pilot project waives waiting periods, extends benefits and eases job-loss rules for eligible claimants

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted

A new pilot project (No. 25) adds temporary measures to the Employment Insurance Regulations aimed at responding to major economic disruptions and supporting job mobility. During the pilot window, the Commission may waive the standard one-week waiting period for new benefit periods. Severance and separation pay will not be treated as earnings that offset benefits for claimants whose benefit periods fall within the pilot window. Long-tenured workers — broadly, those with at least 7 years of premium contributions in the past 10 years and fewer than 36 weeks of regular benefits in the past 3 years — can receive up to 20 additional weeks of benefits, subject to an overall cap of 104 weeks per benefit period. The rules around disqualification for voluntary leaving or misconduct are also temporarily adjusted so that employment throughout the benefit period (not just the final job) is considered, and disqualification is suspended during weeks when special benefits are payable. Claimants and employers should review whether these measures apply to active or upcoming claims.

Who this affects
EI claimants filing new benefit periods during the pilot window · long-tenured workers with extended EI eligibility · employers whose laid-off workers may be affected by altered earnings allocation rules · HR and payroll teams managing separation pay calculations