Do You Get Employment Insurance If You Quit?

“Can you get EI if you quit your job?” This is a commonly asked question, especially as people debate whether or not to leave their current position. The answer is usually no—but there’s a lot of situational context that gets considered, too. 

Employment insurance can help keep you afloat between jobs, but, in most cases, you won’t get it if you quit without what’s known as “just cause.” In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what that is and how it could potentially apply to your situation. 

So, do you get employment insurance if you quit? Let’s discuss it! 

What Is Employment Insurance? 

Employment Insurance (EI) provides temporary financial assistance to individuals who are unemployed, on maternity or parental leave, or unable to work due to sickness. 

EI is administered by the federal government through Service Canada and is designed to support individuals during periods of unemployment or leave from work. The length of time for which these benefits are provided will depend on your location’s unemployment rate.

Regular EI benefits also include pensions and assistance for housing, training, education, family leave, and further aid for people with disabilities. Those who are self-employed may also request EI and receive its benefits. 

With all that being said, can you get EI if you quit your job? The answer is no unless you can prove you had just cause for doing so—let’s define that. 

What Constitutes “Just Cause” For Quitting 

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To receive EI regular benefits after quitting your job, you must be able to provide a clear reason why you left—this is what’s called “just cause.” It implies quitting was the only reasonable alternative you had left when considering your circumstances. 

As per the Employment Insurance Act, such situations include: 

• Sexual or other harassment
• Having an obligation to accompany a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child to another residence 
• Experiencing discrimination under any of the prohibited grounds outlined in the Canadian Human Rights Act
• Working under conditions that endanger your health or safety
• Having to provide care for a child or another member of your immediate family
• Having reasonable assurance of another job in the immediate future
• If there have been major changes to the terms and conditions of your employment as it pertains to wages or salary 
• Being forced to work extreme overtime hours and/or not being paid for working overtime in the first place 
• If there have been major changes in work duties imposed on you
• Ongoing antagonistic interactions with a supervisor (assuming you can not be considered responsible as an instigator)
• Your employer is breaking the law 
• You are being pressured to quit your job

However, the question of “Can you get EI if you quit your job?” exists because you must try to resolve the issues before leaving. Even if you think you have a good reason to quit, you will be rendered ineligible to receive employment insurance benefits if you can’t prove that you at least tried to take a reasonable alternative. 

Some examples of actions you would need to take could include: 

• Discussing the situation with your employer or the union, and requesting adjustments
• Using the recourses available under your employment contract
• Requesting to be transferred so you can work under someone else’s supervision
• Exploring opportunities for alternative work hours or a work-from-home option
• Asking for a temporary leave of absence until your situation changes

If you cannot provide “just cause” or a legitimate reason for quitting, you won’t be able to receive your employment insurance benefits. 

How to Qualify For EI Benefits 

So, who is eligible for employment insurance? Assuming you have not quit (or done so for just cause), you will need to meet the following EI eligibility criteria: 

1. You were employed in insurable employment
2. You lost your job through no fault of your own
3. You haven’t worked or been paid for seven consecutive days in the last year
4. You have worked the required number of insurable employment hours in the last year or since your last EI claim (whichever is shorter)
5. You are capable, willing, and ready to work 
6. You have a documented list of your attempts to find work

Proving your eligibility and receiving payments will require you to complete by-weekly reports. Failure to do so can lead to your EI being revoked! 

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Protect Yourself With KASE Insurance Support 

So, do you get employment insurance if you quit your job? As you’ve learned, the answer is no unless you quit for a just cause. Even then, you will have to prove you didn’t voluntarily quit and that you explored all reasonable alternatives before leaving. 

KASE Insurance can provide you with other policies to protect yourself throughout all stages of life. Just as government-issued employment insurance can help if you find yourself between jobs, knowing you have the right coverage and policies can help you and your family when your life takes unexpected turns. 

If you’re still asking “Can you get EI if you quit your job?”, contact our friendly and professional team of brokers today for answers and learn how to protect yourself long-term!