Losing your job or facing reduced work hours can be financially stressful. Fortunately, the CRA’s $695 Weekly Employment Insurance (EI) benefit for June 2025 offers critical short-term financial support.
Whether you’ve been laid off, are temporarily unemployed, or unable to work due to specific personal reasons, you may qualify for up to $695 per week—no waiting week required.
Who’s Eligible for the $695 Weekly EI?
To be eligible for Employment Insurance in June 2025, you must:
- Have lost your job through no fault of your own (layoffs, restructuring, seasonal work ending)
- Have worked between 420 to 700 insurable hours in the last 52 weeks or since your last EI claim
- Be actively looking for work and available to accept new employment
- Be employed in insurable employment (not self-employed unless enrolled in EI special benefits)
If these conditions are met, you may qualify for regular EI benefits and begin receiving payments soon after approval.
EI Benefit Summary for June 2025
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Max Weekly Benefit | $695 |
| Benefit Rate | 55% of average insurable weekly earnings |
| Max Insurable Earnings | $65,700/year |
| Minimum Hours Required | 420–700 hours (varies by region) |
| Waiting Period | Waived (March 30 – October 11, 2025) |
| Deduction for Severance/Vacation Pay | Not applicable during waiver period |
| Application | Online via Canada.ca |
| Payment Frequency | Weekly (after approval and bi-weekly reporting) |
How Is the $695 Weekly Benefit Calculated?
EI pays 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to the maximum of $695 per week.
Example:
If your average weekly income was $1,200, your weekly EI benefit would be:
55% x $1,200 = $660/week
To receive the maximum $695, your average weekly earnings must be approximately $1,263.46 or more before job loss.
Family Supplement for Low-Income Households
If your net family income is below $25,921/year and you or your partner receives the Canada Child Benefit, you may be eligible for a family supplement. This could increase your EI payment up to 80% of your average earnings, still capped at $695/week.
Only one person per household can receive the family supplement at a time.
What’s New for June 2025?
From March 30 to October 11, 2025, the following temporary measures apply:
- No Waiting Period: EI payments start immediately after approval.
- No Deductions for Severance or Vacation Pay: These payments won’t delay your benefits.
- Eased Entry Requirements: Regional unemployment thresholds have been adjusted upward by 1%, lowering the number of hours required to qualify.
These temporary changes are meant to increase access and ease the burden for unemployed Canadians.
How to Apply for EI
To apply for $695 weekly EI in June 2025, you’ll need:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Record of Employment (ROE) from every job in the past 12 months
- Banking information for direct deposit
- Personal and work history details
Application Steps:
- Visit Canada.ca/EI
- Submit your application as soon as you stop working
- Don’t wait more than 4 weeks or you may lose eligibility
- Submit bi-weekly reports to confirm job search efforts and earnings
Failure to submit your reports on time may pause or stop payments.
Tips to Maximize Your EI Benefits
- Apply early, even if you’re unsure of eligibility
- Keep your ROEs organized and request them quickly from employers
- Use Canada’s EI Estimator to get a rough idea of your expected payment
- Set calendar reminders for your bi-weekly reports
- Monitor your online account for updates and instructions
Other Types of EI Support Available
In addition to regular unemployment benefits, you may qualify for:
- EI Sickness Benefits (for illness or injury)
- EI Maternity or Parental Benefits (for expecting or new parents)
- EI Caregiving Benefits (to care for seriously ill family members)
Each type has its own eligibility criteria, but many overlap with standard EI rules.
The $695 weekly EI benefit in June 2025 offers critical support for Canadians experiencing job loss or reduced work hours. With the waiting period waived, deductions paused, and entry requirements lowered, more Canadians can access these benefits quickly.
If you’re eligible, apply promptly, stay organized, and submit your reports on time to keep payments flowing. Whether you’re navigating temporary unemployment or planning a return to the workforce, this benefit ensures you’re not alone during uncertain times.
FAQs
Will I get the full $695 each week automatically?
Only if your average earnings before job loss were around $1,263.46 or more/week. Otherwise, you’ll receive 55% of your earnings.
Is there still a waiting period in June 2025?
No. For claims submitted between March 30 and October 11, 2025, the waiting period is waived.
Can I qualify if I received severance pay?
Yes. During the temporary exemption period, severance or vacation pay won’t delay your EI payments.