Maternity and Parental Leave EI Benefits in Canada 2025

Updated March 2025 • 10 min read

Canada's Employment Insurance (EI) program provides income replacement during maternity and parental leave. Understanding how it works — and the choices involved — helps you plan your family finances effectively.

Two Types of Benefits

EI provides two separate types of benefits for new parents: maternity benefits (for the birth mother only) and parental benefits (for either or both parents).

Maternity Benefits

• Who qualifies: The birth mother (biological or surrogate)
• Duration: Up to 15 weeks
• Rate: 55% of average insurable weekly earnings
• Maximum insurable earnings 2025: $63,200/year
• Maximum weekly benefit: Approximately $668/week before tax
• When to start: Up to 12 weeks before the expected due date

Maternity benefits cannot be shared with a partner — they are exclusively for the person who gave birth.

Standard Parental Benefits

• Who qualifies: Biological, adoptive, or legally recognized parents
• Duration: Up to 40 weeks total; one parent cannot receive more than 35 weeks
• Rate: 55% of average insurable weekly earnings
• Maximum weekly benefit: Approximately $668/week before tax
• Deadline: Must be taken within 52 weeks of the child's birth or placement

Extended Parental Benefits

• Duration: Up to 69 weeks total; one parent cannot receive more than 61 weeks
• Rate: 33% of average insurable weekly earnings
• Maximum weekly benefit: Approximately $401/week before tax
• Deadline: Must be taken within 78 weeks of the child's birth or placement

Important: You Cannot Switch

Once you choose standard or extended parental benefits and begin receiving them, you cannot switch to the other option. Both parents must choose the same option (standard or extended) — you cannot mix and match. Make the decision carefully before applying.

Quebec: Different Rules Apply

Quebec residents do not use federal EI for parental benefits. Instead, Quebec operates the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), which is more generous:

• Higher income replacement rates (up to 75% in some weeks)
• Dedicated paternity weeks for fathers and second parents
• No waiting period
• Self-employed workers are also covered

Quebec residents pay into QPIP through payroll deductions instead of contributing to the federal EI parental portion.

EI Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for EI maternity/parental benefits you must have:

• At least 600 insurable hours worked in the past 52 weeks (or since your last EI claim)
• Experienced a reduction of more than 40% in your normal weekly earnings
• Be employed in insurable employment (most salaried and hourly employees qualify; self-employed must opt in through a voluntary EI program)

The 1-Week Waiting Period

There is a 1-week unpaid waiting period at the start of your EI claim. If both parents claim EI, only one waiting period is served between them — the second parent does not serve another waiting period if the first parent has already completed one.

Employer Top-Ups

Many Canadian employers top up EI benefits during parental leave. Federal public servants, many large corporations, and some unionized workplaces offer supplemental unemployment benefit (SUB) plans that bring income closer to 100% of salary for a defined period. Check your employment contract, collective agreement, or HR policy.

How to Apply

1. Stop working (or reduce to less than 60% of normal hours)
2. Apply online at canada.ca/ei within 4 weeks of your last day — do not wait for your Record of Employment (ROE)
3. Your employer submits your ROE electronically; if they issue a paper ROE, submit it with your claim
4. Complete the application including your banking information for direct deposit
5. File bi-weekly reports online or by phone during your claim

EI and Taxes

EI benefits are taxable income. Federal and provincial income tax is withheld at a standard rate, but if your total income for the year is low, you may receive a refund at tax time. Keep your T4E slip from Service Canada to file your taxes.

Self-Employed Parental Benefits

Self-employed Canadians can opt into the EI program voluntarily by registering at least 12 months before claiming benefits. Once registered and contributing premiums for one year, self-employed individuals can access the same maternity and parental benefits as employees.

Adoption

Adoptive parents qualify for parental benefits (but not maternity benefits). The same standard vs. extended choice applies. Benefits can start when the child is placed with you.