June 2025 CRA EI Update: $650 Weekly Payment Schedule and Eligibility Explained

someone. However, this news is good in case you live in Canada because CRA has implemented Employment Insurance (EI) which is worth $695 a week, and you can partly cool your financial worries with it in June 2025.

This scheme is for those who are temporarily unemployed, looking for work or out of work due to health, maternity or care responsibilities. This article will give you all the necessary information about this new EI scheme, so that you can take advantage in time.

A Brief Overview of Employment Insurance

EI is a temporary income support scheme that provides weekly financial assistance to eligible Canadian citizens in the event of their unemployment . This is also provided when one is ill, pregnant on leave or one is taking care of somebody in the family.

In short:

Details	Information
Maximum weekly benefit	$695
Benefit rate	55% of average insurable earnings
Maximum insurable earnings	$65,700 per year
Minimum required work hours	420–700 hours (depending on region)
Waiting period	Waived (March 30 to October 11, 2025)
Apply	Online – at Canada.ca
Next payment date	Weekly after claim approval

Who is eligible?

As long as, in June 2025 you are entitled to receive EI benefits when:

• You were late due to a reason beyond your control (e.g. lay off, season closure, restructuring of the company etc.)
• You have performed 420 to 700 hours of insurable work in the last 52 weeks or since your last claim.
• You are available for work and are actively looking for a job.
• You are not self-employed (unless you have registered for EI Special Benefits).

How is the $695 weekly payment calculated?

The calculation formula is simple:

Weekly EI = 55% of your average insurable earnings
(but ​​up to a maximum of $695 per week)

Example:

• If your weekly earnings were $1,200, then:
• 55% x $1,200 = $660 per week EI benefit

You will only receive the maximum $695 if your earnings were $1,263.46 per week or more.

Family Supplement

You might qualify to get the Family Supplement in case you have an annual family income below 25921 and you are taking the Canada Child Benefit.

This can take your weekly rate up to 80%, although it will also be limited to a maximum of $695.

What’s new in June 2025?

• From 30 March to 11 October 2025, the government has made some temporary changes:
• No Waiting Week: There’s no longer a wait required to get paid.

There will be no deductions for severance or holiday money.

Waited Entry Requirement: Calculated by increasing your area’s unemployment rate by 1% (minimum 7.1%), making it easier to qualify.

How to apply for $695 weekly EI?

The documents you will require are the following:

• SIN Social Insurance Number
• Record of Employment (ROE) represented by each of his employers in the past 1 year
• Bank information – for Direct Deposit
• Personal details and job history

Application process:

• Apply online at Canada.ca/EI
• Apply within 4 weeks of the job ending – you may lose benefits if you delay.

Submit a biweekly report

Every two weeks, you must submit a report that shows:

• What work you did (if any)
• Whether you were available and actively looking for a job

If you don’t submit this report on time, your payment process may be stopped.

Tips to maximize benefits

• Apply early: Even if you have doubts about whether you are eligible.
• Estimate your benefits with the EI Calculator on Canada.ca.
• Hold on to your ROE: Ask your employers for it as soon as possible.
• Check your email and My Service Canada Account regularly.

Related EI benefits

EI is not limited to job loss. You may also be eligible for the following special benefits:

• EI Sickness Benefit – in the event of illness or injury
• EI Maternity/Parental Benefit – during pregnancy or after childbirth
• EI Caregiving Benefit – for caring for a seriously ill family member

Each stream has its own terms and conditions, but many match standard EI entitlements.

CONCLUSION

The $695 weekly Employment Insurance introduced by the CRA in June 2025 is a lifesaving program that provides financial support to Canadians during difficult times. The plan has simplified eligibility and increased weekly limits to make it even more effective.

Whether you are unemployed, have been reduced in hours, or intend to rejoin the workforce the sooner you do, the better.
Send in your application now, collect the related papers, make your reports within the expected time, and understand your rights.

FAQs