Life Events

When life changes, your finances do too.

Real calculators and plain-English guides for the moments that change everything.

Your Situation
This requires immediate action. Your runway is short — but there are concrete steps you can take today.
🔴 This requires urgent attention.
Monthly burn
$3,200
EI coverage
0.9 months
Savings runway
2.5 months
Total runway
3.4 months
Weekly EI benefit
$660
Calculator
Employment Insurance (EI)
Avg weekly insurable earnings$1,200/wk
Insurable hours (last 52 weeks)700 hrs
Weekly benefit
$660
Eligible weeks
26 wks
Total EI payout
$17,160
2024 weekly max
$668
Calculator
Financial Runway
Monthly essential expenses$3,200/mo
Emergency savings$8,000
Total financial runway
3.4 months
EI: 0.9 mo · Savings: 2.5 mo
Ontario & federal support programs
Ontario Electricity Support Program
Utilities
$35–$113/month off your electricity bill, applied directly — no repayment.
Learn more →
Ontario Works (OW)
Income
Financial assistance and employment support if you have no or very limited income.
Learn more →
Second Career Program
Retraining
Up to $28,000 for laid-off workers to retrain for in-demand jobs.
Learn more →
Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)
Healthcare
Covers most drug costs if you receive social assistance or fall into a low income bracket.
Learn more →
Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing
Housing
Subsidized housing where rent is capped at 30% of your gross monthly income.
Learn more →
Canada Training Credit
Federal
Up to $250/year (lifetime max $5,000) toward eligible training and education costs.
Learn more →
What to do next
1
This weekApply for EI online — every week you delay shortens your benefit period.
2
This weekCut non-essential spending by ~$480/month to extend your runway.
3
Get your Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer or Service Canada.
4
Your EI covers approximately 0.9 months — aim to secure new income within that window.
5
Check if you qualify for the Ontario Electricity Support Program and Ontario Drug Benefit to reduce fixed costs.
6
If retraining is on the table, explore the Second Career Program — up to $28,000 in funding.