Calculates your weekly Employment Insurance (EI) maternity, parental, and extended parental benefits, including Quebec's QPIP. Estimates your payment based on insurable earnings, province, and chosen option.
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Your estimated weekly EI or QPIP payment. This is the amount you could receive each week.
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Indicative result, calculated from the details and the rules listed below. It does not replace an official calculation or advice from a professional.
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If you are expecting a child or adopting one in Canada, you may be eligible for income replacement through Employment Insurance (EI) maternity and parental benefits, or through the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) if you live in Quebec. These benefits provide a portion of your income so you can take time off work to care for your new child.
Your weekly benefit is based on your insurable earnings and the benefit rate for your chosen leave option.
Sarah lives in Ontario, earned $62,000 in the last 52 weeks, and chooses the standard parental benefit option. She plans to share 5 weeks of parental leave with her partner.
When should I apply for benefits? Apply as soon as you stop working. You can apply up to 12 weeks before your expected due date, but benefits will only start the week you stop working or the week of the birth, whichever is later.
Can I work while on parental leave? You can work while receiving benefits, but your earnings may reduce your benefit amount. Service Canada or Revenu Québec will explain the rules.
What if I live in Quebec? Quebec residents must apply through the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), not EI. The benefit rates, maximums, and number of weeks are different.
How do I share parental benefits? Both parents must apply and agree on the number of weeks each will claim. The total shared weeks cannot exceed the maximum for your chosen option.
Once you have estimated your benefits and decided on your leave dates, you should formally notify your employer. A Letter Requesting Parental Leave clearly communicates your leave type, start date, expected return date, and duration. This helps ensure a smooth transition and protects your employment rights.
Employment Insurance (EI) maternity and parental benefits are a federal program for all of Canada except Quebec. The Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) is a provincial program for Quebec residents, offering different benefit rates, maximums, and eligibility rules.
Under EI, you can get up to 40 weeks to share between parents with the standard option (12 months total leave) or up to 69 weeks with the extended option (18 months total). In Quebec under QPIP, it's up to 25 weeks for one parent under the standard option, and up to 32 weeks under the extended option. These can be shared, with combined totals of 32 and 40 weeks respectively.
Yes, both EI and QPIP benefits are considered taxable income. Taxes are not deducted at source, so you may need to set aside money or make installment payments to avoid a tax bill at year-end.
No. You must choose your benefit option (standard or extended) when you first apply. You cannot change it later.
If you are self-employed and have registered for EI special benefits, you may be eligible. You must have earned a minimum self-employed income and paid premiums for at least 12 months. QPIP also has provisions for self-employed workers in Quebec.
For EI maternity benefits, you need a medical certificate signed by your doctor or midwife confirming the expected or actual date of birth. For QPIP, a declaration of pregnancy or birth certificate is required.
