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EI Maternity and Parental Benefits 2026: Weeks and Amounts

EI maternity benefits pay up to 15 weeks at 55% of earnings, to $729 a week. Parental benefits are either standard (up to 35 weeks at 55%) or extended (up to 61 weeks at 33%, to $437 a week). Sharing parents get 5 or 8 extra weeks. You need 600 insured hours. Quebec uses its own plan.

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The options

BenefitWeeksRateMaximum per week (2026)
MaternityUp to 1555%$729
Standard parentalUp to 35 for one parent; 40 if shared55%$729
Extended parentalUp to 61 for one parent; 69 if shared33%$437

Once a parental payment is made, you can't switch between standard and extended.

Timing

  • Maternity benefits can start up to 12 weeks before your due date and end no later than 17 weeks after the due date or birth, whichever is later.
  • Standard parental benefits must be taken within 52 weeks of the birth or adoption placement; extended within 78 weeks.

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.
  • Maternity: you are pregnant or recently gave birth. Parental: you are caring for your newborn or newly adopted child.

Living in Quebec?

Quebec residents get maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits from the Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP), not EI.

Employer top-ups

Some employers top up EI during leave. Ask your employer.

Phone numbers

Employment Insurance (automated info 24/7, press 0 for an officer)

1-800-206-7218

Officers: 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

Employment Insurance (EI) 2026: Who Qualifies and How Much Employment Insurance pays up to 55% of your average insurable earnings, to a maximum of $729 a week in 2026, if you lose your job through no fault of your own or can't work because of illness, a new child or caring for someone. Most people need 420 to 700 insured work hours. Canada Child Benefit (CCB): How Much You Get in 2026-2027 From July 2026 to June 2027, the Canada child benefit pays up to $8,157 a year ($679.75 a month) for each child under 6 and up to $6,883 a year ($573.58 a month) for each child aged 6 to 17. You get the full amount if your 2025 adjusted family net income is $38,237 or less; above that it is reduced. How to Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) Online Apply online as soon as you stop working: waiting more than 4 weeks after your last day can cost you benefits. The application takes about 1 hour. You need your SIN, addresses, banking details and your employment details for the past 52 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

How long is EI maternity leave in Canada?

Maternity benefits last up to 15 weeks. Parental benefits can follow: up to 35 weeks standard or 61 weeks extended for one parent.

Can both parents get parental benefits?

Yes. Sharing adds 5 weeks (standard) or 8 weeks (extended), but one parent can't get more than 35 or 61 weeks.

Sources

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.