Don't miss out! Why Long-Tenured Workers should look at EI Pilot Project 24

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The EI “Safety Net” – Why you shouldn’t wait to apply (even if you’re on LTD)

f you are a long-term employee (10+ years) and you’ve been terminated while on disability, you need to know about the current “Safety Net” rules. These are part of Pilot Project 24, and they are designed to protect people exactly in our situation.

Here are the two biggest reasons to get your claim started:

1. The “104-Week Look-Back” (Don’t let your hours expire!)

Normally, EI only looks at the last 52 weeks to see if you worked enough hours. But if you’ve been sick, that 52-week window might be empty.

  • The Special Rule: Service Canada can extend your “qualifying period” up to 104 weeks (2 full years) if you were unable to work due to illness or injury.

  • Why this is huge: It allows EI to “skip over” the time you were sick and look back at your old full-time hours and higher salary from before your disability started.

  • The Trap: If you wait too long after being terminated to apply, those old full-time hours eventually “fall off” the back of that 2-year window, and you could lose your benefits entirely.

2. EI as Your “Income Floor” (The Safety Net)

Think of EI as a guaranteed minimum income. Because of the Premium Reduction Program, EI acts as a “second payer.”

  • The “Bump Up”: If your private insurance (LTD) company decides to cut your payments, or if they start “estimating” a CPP Disability deduction and lower your check, your EI will automatically increase to fill the gap.

  • Total Stability: This ensures your total weekly income stays at your maximum EI rate (around $560/week) no matter what the insurance company does. It takes the “fear” out of those insurance company letters.

Quick Summary of Benefits to “Lock In”:

  • 70-Week Cap: You can combine Sickness and Regular benefits for up to 70 weeks (instead of the usual 50).

  • No Severance Delay: You get your full EI even if you received a large severance payout.

  • No Waiting Period: You are paid from Day 1.

The Deadline: You must establish your claim before October 10, 2026, to lock in these 70-week and severance protections.

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  1. The “Top-Up” Flavor (PRP Companies): For those at major banks, airlines, or government jobs, EI acts as a backup. If your insurance cuts you, EI steps in. You always stay at that “floor”.

  2. The “Income Boost” Flavor (Non-PRP): For those at smaller companies, you get to keep both. You get your insurance money PLUS a large chunk of your EI.

The 104-Week “Look-Back” is for Everyone

The most important thing is that the 104-week look-back and the 70-week cap apply to EVERYONE who is a Long-Tenured Worker, regardless of whether their employer is in the PRP or not.

  • Even if you don’t get the “top-up” because you are getting the “boost,” you still get those extra 20 weeks of protection.

  • You still get their severance without deductions (if they apply before the October 2026 deadline).

“If your employer isn’t part of the Premium Reduction Program, don’t worry—you don’t get zero. You actually get to keep 50 cents of every EI dollar while you collect your disability check! It’s an even bigger win for you.”

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I have been on disability since July 2025. I applied for sickness EI-I have that for up to 26 weeks–so if I am cut off LTD, I go on EI. This may not work for all. But it gives me peace of mind

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I don’t really understand what this program is or when you should apply for it. I can’t even figure out how to ask what is confusing me. :grimacing: Is this specifically for people who have been fired? Should people be applying if they’re still employed? Do insurers claw it back?

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i have just had my STD suspended. Could I apply for the EI in lieu of benefits?