Job-Loss Runway Calculator Canada (2026): How Long Can Savings Cover the Gap?

This tool answers a practical first question after a job loss: how much monthly cash-flow gap would my savings need to cover? Enter liquid savings, the replacement income you actually expect, essential expenses, and required debt payments.

The result is a transparent scenario, not a benefits decision. It does not estimate EI eligibility, severance, taxes, a future job date, credit impact, or whether a creditor will approve a change. Check the official EI benefit information separately.

How to use the result

1. Use cash or savings that are realistically available, not home equity or an unapproved credit limit.
2. Use essential costs first: housing, food, utilities, medication, transportation, insurance, and minimum required debt payments.
3. Treat the runway as a planning signal. If the gap is positive, contact creditors and service providers before missing a payment.
4. Re-run the scenario when income, benefits, rent, mortgage, or debt payments change.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada recommends building a budget and notes that an emergency fund can help with a job loss; it describes 3 to 6 months of regular expenses as an ideal target, not a legal or universal requirement. Read FCAC’s budgeting guidance and debt-payment guidance.

When the gap is already urgent

Prioritize housing, utilities, food, medication, insurance, and transportation needed for work or care. Save notices, pay stubs, benefit information, loan statements, and creditor correspondence. If you have an active court, CRA, support, account-freeze, or wage-deduction notice, use the notice triage flow rather than assuming a general budget calculator answers the legal question.