EI caregiving benefits provide income support when you take time off work to care for a critically ill family member or someone who is nearing end of life. Canada offers three distinct caregiving benefit types, and eligible family members can share the available weeks.
For context on how these fit into the broader EI system, review employment insurance Canada and compare to EI sickness benefits if your own health is also affected.
Types of EI caregiving benefits
| Benefit type | Maximum weeks | Who you are caring for |
|---|---|---|
| Family Caregiver Benefit — Children | 35 weeks | Critically ill or injured child under 18 |
| Family Caregiver Benefit — Adults | 15 weeks | Critically ill or injured adult family member |
| Compassionate Care Benefit | 26 weeks | Family member with serious medical condition and significant risk of death within 26 weeks |
All three types pay at 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings (max $668/week in 2026) and require a 1-week unpaid waiting period before the first payment.
Eligibility requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Insurable hours | 600+ hours in the last 52 weeks (or since last EI claim) |
| Family relationship | Broad definition — see table below |
| Medical certificate | Doctor certifies the family member’s condition |
| Earnings reduction | Regular weekly earnings reduced by more than 40% |
| Resident of Canada | Must be Canadian resident when claiming |
Who qualifies as “family” for caregiving benefits
The definition of family for EI caregiving purposes is intentionally broad:
| Relationship | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Spouse or common-law partner | Yes |
| Children (any age) | Yes |
| Parents and step-parents | Yes |
| Siblings | Yes |
| Grandparents and grandchildren | Yes |
| In-laws (all degrees) | Yes |
| Aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews | Yes |
| Former foster parents or children | Yes |
| Close friend considered like family | Yes — with written attestation from the ill person |
This wide definition means caregiving benefits are available to most Canadians who provide primary care to a seriously ill person, regardless of the exact legal relationship.
What “critically ill” means for the Family Caregiver Benefit
The medical certificate must confirm the person is critically ill or injured — meaning they have a severe illness or injury with a significant risk of death OR their baseline health has substantially changed and their life is at risk. This standard is different from the Compassionate Care Benefit, which requires documented significant risk of death within 26 weeks.
Conditions that typically qualify: cancer, organ failure, serious accident with intensive care admission, severe injury requiring long-term rehabilitation. Conditions that may not qualify: chronic illness not in a critical phase, mental health conditions (though these can qualify if the person is in acute crisis).
Payment amounts
| Average weekly insurable earnings | EI caregiving benefit (55%) |
|---|---|
| $400/week | $220/week |
| $600/week | $330/week |
| $800/week | $440/week |
| $1,000/week | $550/week |
| $1,215+/week | $668/week (maximum) |
Benefits are taxable income. Service Canada withholds income tax from each payment.
Sharing benefits among family members
Multiple family members can take caregiving leave for the same person, sharing the available weeks:
| Scenario | How sharing works |
|---|---|
| Two parents caring for critically ill child | Up to 35 total weeks — each parent can take a portion |
| Siblings caring for dying parent | Up to 26 Compassionate Care weeks shared |
| Spouse and adult child caring for injured adult | Up to 15 total weeks shared |
Each family member must apply separately but reference the same medical certificate. Weeks are tracked in total — if Parent A takes 20 weeks for a critically ill child, Parent B can take up to 15 more (to reach the 35-week total).
How to apply
Step 1: Get a medical certificate
The ill or injured family member’s doctor must certify:
- The medical condition and that it qualifies as critical illness (or end-of-life for Compassionate Care)
- That the family member requires care or support
- The expected duration
Step 2: Apply online
- Go to canada.ca/ei and sign into My Service Canada Account (MSCA)
- Select the appropriate caregiving benefit type
- Enter your employment information and family member details
- Upload or mail the medical certificate when requested
- Complete biweekly claimant reports throughout your claim
Apply as soon as your earnings drop — the 1-week waiting period starts from your application date.
Combining caregiving with other EI benefits
EI caregiving benefits can be combined with other EI benefit types within the same benefit year:
| Combination | Notes |
|---|---|
| Caregiving + Sickness | If you become ill while caregiving, you can access sickness benefits as well |
| Caregiving + Parental | Can take parental leave after caregiving ends |
| Multiple caregiving claims | Can make separate claims for different family members in the same year |
| Caregiving after Regular EI | Possible if you have a new benefit year established |
After caregiving benefits end
When your caregiving weeks are exhausted but you need more time:
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Job-protected leave (provincial) | Most provinces offer unpaid caregiver leave under employment standards legislation — check your province |
| EI Sickness Benefits | If your own health deteriorates, apply for up to 26 weeks sickness |
| Canada Caregiver Credit | Claim on your T1 return — non-refundable federal tax credit for caregivers |
| Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | Many employers offer support through EAP including financial counselling |
You are also entitled to return to your position (or equivalent) after EI caregiving leave in most Canadian jurisdictions under employment standards protections.