EI Caregiving Benefits: Compassionate Care and Family Caregiver
EI caregiving benefits pay 55% of your earnings, up to $729 a week, while you care for a critically ill or injured family member or someone needing end-of-life care: up to 35 weeks for a child, 15 weeks for an adult, or 26 weeks of compassionate care. You need 600 insured hours.
The three benefits
| Benefit | For caring for | Up to |
|---|---|---|
| Family caregiver benefit for children | A critically ill or injured child under 18 | 35 weeks |
| Family caregiver benefit for adults | A critically ill or injured person 18 or older | 15 weeks |
| Compassionate care benefits | A person of any age needing end-of-life care | 26 weeks |
Weeks can be shared between eligible caregivers, at the same time or one after another.
Who qualifies
- 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks or since your last claim.
- Your regular weekly earnings dropped by more than 40% for at least one week to give care.
- A doctor or nurse practitioner certifies the person's condition.
- You are family, or considered like family. If you are not related, the person (or their representative) signs an attestation form.
You don't have to live with the person. They can live outside Canada; the medical certificate is then completed where they are receiving care.
Self-employed?
You need an agreement with the EI Commission active for 12 months, and at least $9,254 in net self-employed earnings in 2025 for benefits in 2026.
Phone numbers
Employment Insurance (automated info 24/7, press 0 for an officer)
1-800-206-7218Officers: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Automated service: 24/7.
From outside Canada and the U.S.: 1-877-486-1650
TTY: 1-800-529-3742
Related
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be related to get compassionate care benefits?
No. You can qualify if you are considered like family; the person needing care signs an attestation form.
Sources
- EI caregiving benefits (canada.ca) (canada.ca)
- EI caregiving: eligibility (canada.ca, 2026-10-22) (canada.ca)
North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.