Employment Insurance - Maternity and Parental Benefits
Provided by: Government of Canada - Service Canada - AKA: Employment and Social Development Canada; ESDC; Human Resources and Skills Development (former name)
Service Description
Financial assistance benefit for individuals who are away form work because they are pregnant or have recently given birth or parents who are away from work to care for their newborn or newly adopted child.
EI Maternity Benefits: Available to the person who is away form work due to pregnancy or have recently given birth (biological and surrogate mothers).
EI Parental Benefits: Available to parents who are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child or children.
There are two options available for receiving parental benefits:
EI Maternity Benefits: Available to the person who is away form work due to pregnancy or have recently given birth (biological and surrogate mothers).
- A maximum of 15 weeks of EI maternity benefits is available
- Benefits can be paid as early as 12 weeks before the expected date of birth and not more than 17 weeks after the due date
- The weekly benefit rate is 55% of the claimant's average weekly insurable earnings up to a maximum amount
- Individual claiming maternity benefits may be able to also claim parental benefits
EI Parental Benefits: Available to parents who are caring for a newborn or newly adopted child or children.
There are two options available for receiving parental benefits:
- Standard Parental Benefits:
- Can be paid for a maximum of 40 weeks and shared by parents but one parent cannot receive more than 35 weeks
- Must be claimed within a 52 week period (12 months) after the week the child was born or placed for the purpose of adoption
- The weekly benefit rate is 55% of the claimant's average weekly insurable earnings up to a maximum amount
- Extended Parental Benefits:
- Can be paid for a maximum of 69 weeks and shared by parents but one parent cannot claim more than 61 weeks
- Must be claimed within a 78-week period (18 months) after the week the child was born or placed for the purpose of adoption
- The benefit rate is 33% of the claimant's average weekly insurable earnings up to a maximum amount
Information
Eligibility:
Individuals who are away from work because they are pregnant, have recently given birth, or adopted a child. Must:
- Be employed in insurable employment
-Meet the specific criteria for receiving EI maternity or parental benefits
- Have normal weekly earnings that are reduced by more than 40%
- Have accumulated at least 420 hours of insurable employment during the qualifying period or, if a self-employed fisher, they have earned enough money during the qualifying period
- Be employed in insurable employment
-Meet the specific criteria for receiving EI maternity or parental benefits
- Have normal weekly earnings that are reduced by more than 40%
- Have accumulated at least 420 hours of insurable employment during the qualifying period or, if a self-employed fisher, they have earned enough money during the qualifying period
Fees:
No fees
How to Access:
Apply online
Documents Required:
Completed application form * See website for details of supporting information required
Language:
English * Some sites offer French services * Other languages available by phone
Coverage Area:
Canada
Service Locations & Contact Info
- Jean Canfield Building, Main Floor, 191 Great George Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4L2
- Coverage Area:Queens County
- Disabilities Access:Wheelchair accessible
- Mon:8:30am - 4pm
Tue:8:30am - 4pm
Wed:8:30am - 4pm
Thu:8:30am - 4pm
Fri:8:30am - 4pm
- 1-800-O-CANADA phone line open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm local time
Appointments are recommended as walk-in service is limited. Request an appointment through the online form at: https://eservices.canada.ca/en/service/ .
- 491 Main Street, Montague, PE C0A 1R0
- Coverage Area:Kings County
- Disabilities Access:Wheelchair accessible
- Mon:8:30am - 4pm
Tue:8:30am - 4pm
Wed:8:30am - 4pm
Thu:8:30am - 4pm
Fri:8:30am - 4pm
- 1-800-O-CANADA phone line open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm local time
Appointments are recommended as walk-in service is limited. Request an appointment through the online form at: https://eservices.canada.ca/en/service/ .
- 371 Main Street, O'Leary, PE C0B 1V0
- Coverage Area:Prince County
- Disabilities Access:Wheelchair accessible
- Mon:8:30am - 4pm
Tue:8:30am - 4pm
Wed:8:30am - 4pm
Thu:8:30am - 4pm
Fri:8:30am - 4pm
- 1-800-O-CANADA phone line open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm local time
Appointments are recommended as walk-in service is limited. Request an appointment through the online form at: https://eservices.canada.ca/en/service/ .
- Access PEI, 15 Green Street, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
- Coverage Area:Kings County
- Disabilities Access:Wheelchair accessible
- Mon:8:30am - 4pm
Tue:8:30am - 4pm
Wed:8:30am - 4pm
Thu:8:30am - 4pm
Fri:8:30am - 4pm
- 1-800-O-CANADA phone line open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm local time
Appointments are recommended as walk-in service is limited. Request an appointment through the online form at: https://eservices.canada.ca/en/service/ .
- Government of Canada Building, 294 Church Street, Summerside, PE C1N 0C1
- Coverage Area:Prince County
- Disabilities Access:Wheelchair accessible
- Mon:8:30am - 4pm
Tue:8:30am - 4pm
Wed:8:30am - 4pm
Thu:8:30am - 4pm
Fri:8:30am - 4pm
- 1-800-O-CANADA phone line open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm local time
Appointments are recommended as walk-in service is limited. Request an appointment through the online form at: https://eservices.canada.ca/en/service/ .
- 48 Mill Road, Wellington Station, PE C0B 2E0
- Coverage Area:Prince County
- Disabilities Access:Wheelchair accessible
- See website for days and times location is open
1-800-O-CANADA phone line open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm local time