If anxiety, depression, burnout or another mental health condition means you can't work for a while, you may be able to get Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. Mental health counts as a medical reason. EI sickness can give you part of your income for up to 26 weeks while you focus on getting better. This guide walks through who qualifies, the medical certificate, how to apply and the mistakes that can cost you benefits.
This is general information. Service Canada decides every claim, so check its current pages for your situation.
What EI sickness benefits are
EI sickness benefits are run by Service Canada. They're for people who can't work for medical reasons, such as illness, injury or a medical condition. Service Canada doesn't list mental health conditions separately. A diagnosed mental health condition that stops you from working is a medical reason like any other.
For 2026, Service Canada says you could get 55% of your insurable earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week, for up to 26 weeks. The number of weeks depends on how long you can't work. Some employers add a top-up, so ask yours.
First, check what your employer offers
Before you apply, find out if your employer has its own paid sick leave or a short-term disability plan. Service Canada asks you to check this first. If you have short-term disability coverage at work, you usually claim through that plan first. EI sickness often fills the gap for people who don't have workplace coverage, or whose coverage has run out.
Do you qualify?
Service Canada says you need to show that:
you can't work for medical reasons
your regular weekly earnings dropped by more than 40% for at least one week
you have 600 insured hours of work in the 52 weeks before your claim starts, or since your last claim, whichever is shorter
You must also stay "otherwise available for work." That means you would be able to work if it weren't for your medical condition.
If you had an EI claim in the past 52 weeks, you may get fewer weeks of sickness benefits. You may still be able to start a new claim if you've worked enough hours since then.
The medical certificate
You need a medical certificate signed by the treating medical professional. It must show that you can't work for medical reasons, and about how long that will last.
Service Canada lists who can sign it, including a:
medical doctor
psychologist
nurse practitioner
registered nurse (only in isolated areas when a doctor isn't available)
The list also includes some other health professionals, such as chiropractors and dentists, when the condition is in their field. Registered psychotherapists and social workers aren't on the current list. The illness they're treating must be in their area of expertise.
Your health professional can use Service Canada's form or their own. If they use their own, it must be readable and on letterhead or stamped. It must show your name, the start date and expected length of your time off, and their signature.
You may be asked to send the certificate. If not, keep it for 6 years in case Service Canada asks later. The professional may charge a fee for the certificate, and Service Canada doesn't pay it back.
How to apply, step by step
Service Canada says to apply as soon as possible after you stop working. If you apply more than 4 weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits. Don't wait for your paperwork.
Gather your information. You'll need your Social Insurance Number, your employers from the past 52 weeks and your work dates. You'll also need your banking details for direct deposit and the last name at birth of one of your parents.
Apply online. The application takes about an hour. Your answers are saved for 72 hours if you need a break.
Send documents. Upload your medical certificate through My Service Canada Account if you're asked. You can also mail it or bring it to a Service Canada office.
Watch your mail. You'll get a benefit statement with a four-digit access code. This is not a decision on your claim yet.
Check your status. Use My Service Canada Account or contact Service Canada.
Records of employment. Most employers send these electronically. If yours issues paper ones, ask for copies and send them in soon after you apply.
Tips for a mental health claim
Mental health claims follow the same rules as any other. A few things can make the process smoother:
Be clear about dates. Your last day of work and the start date on your medical certificate should match what really happened.
Answer honestly about availability. You're saying you would work if you were well. That's different from saying you can't work at all, ever.
Plan for the end date. If you're still unwell when your benefits end, talk with your health professional early. Ask about next steps, such as long-term disability through work or other programs.
Keep a simple file. Save your certificate, emails and letters in one place. If you call, note who you spoke to and when.
What to tell your employer
You don't have to share your diagnosis with your employer to take medical leave. In most cases, it's enough to say you're off for medical reasons and give an expected return date. Your employer will need to issue a record of employment so Service Canada can process your claim. If you have workplace benefits, ask HR which forms they need and who to send them to. Keep your messages short and in writing, so you have a record if questions come up later.
What EI sickness doesn't do
EI sickness pays part of your income. It doesn't protect your job on its own. Job protection comes from employment standards law, and sometimes from your contract.
Ontario's Employment Standards Act includes unpaid, job-protected sick leave. It also has a long-term illness leave for a serious medical condition, of up to 27 weeks in a 52-week period, with a certificate from a qualified health practitioner. Check the Ontario rules or ask HR how they apply to you.
If your condition is likely to be long-term or permanent, EI sickness may only be a bridge. Service Canada points people in that position to Canada Pension Plan disability benefits.
Using your time off well
Time off works best when it has a plan. Rest matters, but so does treatment. Many people use their leave to start therapy, build a routine and get ready for a gradual return to work.
Therapy can help you understand what pushed you to this point. It can also help you manage symptoms and plan a return that doesn't put you right back where you started. Learn more about our support for depression and anxiety. Our clinicians can provide supporting documentation where appropriate, as part of your care with us.
You can see us in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge or Ottawa, or by secure video from anywhere in Ontario.
Cost, billing and your first step
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers. Coverage depends on your plan, so check with your insurer before you start.
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. Let them know you're off work or about to be, and they'll help you find a good fit.
If you're in crisis: if you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time, day or night.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
EI sickness benefits: what these benefits offer, Government of Canada
EI sickness benefits: do you qualify, Government of Canada
EI sickness benefits: apply, Government of Canada
EI sickness benefits: how much you could receive, Government of Canada
Your guide to the Employment Standards Act: long-term illness leave, Government of Ontario