Employment Insurance (EI) — Maternity & Parental Benefits: Free, walk in or by phone. Who it's for: Pregnant or recently gave birth (maternity) or parent caring for a newborn or newly adopted child (parental); weekly earnings dropped by….
Categories: Family, Financial Aid
If you are pregnant, just gave birth, or are caring for a new baby or newly adopted child, EI can pay part of your wages while you are off work. ▸ Who can get this? • You are pregnant or just gave birth (maternity), or you are a parent caring for a newborn or newly adopted child (parental). • Your weekly pay dropped by more than 40% for at least 1 week. • You worked 600 insured hours in the 52 weeks before your claim (or since your last claim, if shorter). ▸ What you get • Maternity: up to 15 weeks, for the person who gave birth. • Standard parental: up to 40 weeks shared, but one parent can't get more than 35. Pays 55% of earnings, up to $729 a week. • Extended parental: up to 69 weeks shared, but one parent can't get more than 61. Pays 33%, up to $437 a week. ▸ How to apply 1. Choose standard or extended parental. You can't change once a payment of parental benefits is made. 2. Apply online as soon as you stop working. 3. Send any documents after you apply. 4. Watch for a benefit statement and access code in the mail. ▸ What you need • Your SIN, and the other parent's SIN if you share. • Employers, dates and reasons for leaving in the last 52 weeks. • Your baby's due date or birth date, or adoption placement date. • Your banking details. ▸ Good to know • Apply within 4 weeks of your last day of work, or you may lose benefits. • Maternity can start up to 12 weeks before your due date. • If sharing, each parent applies and picks the same option. • Quebec residents use the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan instead.
Also known as: EI maternity leave parental leave mat leave baby adoption employment insurance new parent
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