EI Section 25 — Extended EI Training Benefits (Federal)

What you will need

• ✓ EI claim filed with Service Canada (the foundation — apply ASAP after layoff)
• ✓ Provincial training authority referral (Employment Ontario / WorkBC / Service Québec / equivalent)
• ✓ Acceptance / enrolment letter from the recognized training program
• ✓ Program details: course schedule, duration, full-time confirmation, training provider credentials
• ✓ Ongoing bi-weekly EI reports with training-status flag during the program
• ✓ Maintenance of program attendance + progress per the referral conditions

About this award

Section 25 of the federal Employment Insurance Act is one of the most important — and least-known — supports for laid-off workers retraining for a new field. It's not a separate grant or scholarship; it's the legal mechanism that allows you to keep receiving regular EI benefits (typically 55% of your prior insurable earnings, up to the annual maximum) while you attend an approved training program. Without Section 25, attending school full-time would normally end your EI eligibility (because you wouldn't be 'available for work'). With a Section 25 referral, you can attend training full-time and EI continues paying — bridging your income while you upgrade. The referral comes from your provincial training authority (in Ontario, Employment Ontario; in BC, WorkBC; in Quebec, Service Québec; etc.), which confirms that your chosen program is recognized for EI continuity purposes. Eligible programs include short-term skills training (cybersecurity, cloud certifications, healthcare bridging), micro-credential programs, longer college diplomas, and apprenticeship technical-training periods. Section 25 stacks naturally with other supports: provincial retraining grants like Better Jobs Ontario provide the tuition coverage; EI Section 25 provides the income continuity. Together they make full-time retraining financially viable without taking on debt.

Who qualifies

You qualify for EI Section 25 benefit continuity if you (1) are currently receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits OR are eligible to apply (have sufficient insurable hours, lost work through no fault of your own, available for work outside training time as the rules allow); (2) receive a formal referral from your provincial training authority — they confirm the training program is recognized for EI purposes; (3) attend the recognized training program full-time and meet the program's attendance + progress requirements; (4) maintain ongoing reporting to Service Canada (regular EI bi-weekly reports, with training status flagged). The provincial training authority assessment is the key gateway — even if you find a great training program on your own, EI will not automatically continue paying until you obtain the Section 25 referral.

This is what the award's own page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm with the provider before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
• ✓ Open to certificate or trades students

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's own page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Check this year's deadline

   We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's own page will have it.

More details