Having a baby or adopting a child qualifies you for two separate EI benefits: maternity (for the birth mother) and parental (for either or both parents). Understanding the rules before your leave helps you plan financially.
EI Maternity Benefits — for Birth Mothers Only
Maternity benefits are exclusively for the person who is pregnant or has recently given birth (including surrogates).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Available to | Birth mother only (biological or surrogate) |
| Duration | Up to 15 weeks |
| Benefit rate | 55% of average weekly insurable earnings |
| 2025 weekly maximum | $695/week |
| When to apply | Up to 8 weeks before your due date |
| When payments begin | Can begin up to 8 weeks before your due date |
The 15 weeks of maternity benefits cannot be shared — only the birth mother receives them. They can be combined with parental benefits for total leave coverage.
EI Parental Benefits — Standard vs Extended
After (or in some cases before) the birth or adoption, either or both parents can receive parental benefits. You choose between two options at the start of your claim — you cannot switch after benefits begin.
Standard Parental Benefits
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total shareable weeks | 40 weeks between parents |
| Second parent bonus weeks | 5 additional weeks if second parent takes benefits |
| Total maximum | 40 weeks shared + 5 for second parent = 45 weeks |
| Benefit rate | 55% of average weekly insurable earnings |
| 2025 weekly maximum | $695/week |
Extended Parental Benefits
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Total shareable weeks | 69 weeks between parents |
| Second parent bonus weeks | 8 additional weeks if second parent takes benefits |
| Total maximum | 69 weeks shared + 8 for second parent = 77 weeks |
| Benefit rate | 33% of average weekly insurable earnings |
| 2025 weekly maximum | $417/week |
Which to choose: Standard benefits pay more per week but over fewer weeks. Extended benefits stretch the coverage — useful when both parents want time off separately, or when one parent wants a full year of leave at lower income.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for EI maternity or parental benefits, you must:
- Have accumulated 600 insurable hours in the 52 weeks prior to your claim (or since your last EI claim, whichever is shorter)
- Have experienced a reduction in earnings of more than 40% due to pregnancy or care of a child
- Be a legal resident of Canada
Self-employed individuals can access these benefits if they have registered for and paid into the EI self-employed program for at least 12 months before claiming.
How to Apply
Apply through My Service Canada Account as soon as you stop working — within 4 weeks of your due date for maternity claims.
You’ll need:
- Your Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer
- Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Your banking information for direct deposit
- Expected or actual date of birth/adoption
Employer Top-Ups (Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plans)
Many Canadian employers — particularly in the public sector, banking, and large corporations — offer a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) plan that tops up EI to 75–100% of your salary during leave. Check your employment contract or HR policy.
Some employers offer top-ups for maternity leave only, not parental. Know your entitlement before going on leave.
How Much You’ll Actually Receive
Your benefit amount is calculated based on your average insurable weekly earnings over the 52 weeks before your claim (or best 14–22 weeks depending on regional unemployment rate).
| Annual Employment Income | Weekly EI Benefit (at 55%) | Monthly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | ~$370 | ~$1,600 |
| $50,000 | ~$529 | ~$2,292 |
| $65,000 | ~$687 | ~$2,977 |
| $75,000+ | $695 (maximum) | ~$3,012 |
2025 weekly maximum insurable earnings: $65,700/year.
Quebec Residents: QPIP, Not EI
Quebec has its own parental insurance program — Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) — administered provincially. It is:
- Available to both employees and self-employed workers
- More generous than federal EI (higher replacement rates, different duration options)
- The only program available to Quebec residents — you cannot access the federal EI parental program
If you work in Quebec, look up your entitlements at rqap.gouv.qc.ca.
Related Reading
- EI Benefits — Canada — Overview of all EI special benefit types
- Working While on Maternity Leave in Canada — What you can earn while collecting benefits
- How Much Can I Earn on Maternity Leave? — The “working while on claim” rules
- First Baby Financial Guide — Canada — Comprehensive financial planning for new parents
- Canada Child Benefit — Guide — The CCB starts when the baby arrives