EI Maternity & Parental
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate EI maternity and parental benefits — maternity: 15 weeks at 55% (to the ~$729 cap); then the choice: standard parental (35 weeks at 55%) vs extended (61 weeks at 33%) — plus the 5/8 extra sharing weeks.
Quick answer: The structure: maternity 15 weeks at 55% (birth parent only), then parental — standard: 35 weeks at 55% (cap ~$729/wk) or extended: 61 weeks at 33% (cap ~$437) — shareable, with +5 (standard) / +8 (extended) bonus weeks when both parents claim. The total money is nearly identical; the RATE and duration differ.
The Benefit Map (Outside Quebec)
| Benefit | Weeks | Rate | 2026 cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity (birth parent) | 15 | 55% | ~$729/wk |
| Parental — standard | 35 (40 shared max, +5 bonus) | 55% | ~$729 |
| Parental — extended | 61 (69 shared, +8) | 33% | ~$437 |
Eligibility: 600 insurable hours; the option is chosen on FIRST application and binds both parents irrevocably. Quebec runs QPIP instead (higher rates, father-only weeks, lower hour thresholds).
The 12-vs-18 Decision
Total parental dollars are almost identical (35 × 55% ≈ 61 × 33%) — the extended option spreads the SAME money thinner over 18 months. Choose extended for childcare-gap coverage; standard when cash-flow or employer top-ups matter — most top-up plans pay only during the standard window, making extended a net loss for topped-up parents. Model both before the irrevocable click.
Worked Example
$1,250/week earner: maternity 15 × 687 = $10,312; standard parental 35 × 687 = $24,062 (~$34,400 total over 50 weeks); extended parental 61 × 412 = $25,163 over 76 weeks — nearly the same money, 6 months’ different coverage.
Edges Worth Knowing
Working-while-on-claim rules claw 50 cents/dollar earned; benefits are taxable (withheld lightly — budget the April bill); premium hours from a prior job count within the 52-week window; and the 5/8 sharing weeks are use-it-or-lose-it for the second parent — Canada’s nudge toward shared leave. Leave RIGHTS (job protection) are provincial and run separately (Ontario: 17+61/63 weeks) — the money and the job protection are different statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does EI maternity pay?
55% of average insurable earnings up to ~$729/week (2026 MIE-linked cap) for 15 weeks — birth parents only, usable from 12 weeks before the due date.
Standard or extended parental — which pays more?
Nearly identical totals: 35 weeks at 55% vs 61 at 33% — extended just spreads it; employer top-ups (usually standard-window-only) typically tip the choice to standard.
Can we share parental weeks?
Yes — split freely, simultaneously or sequentially, with +5 (standard) or +8 (extended) bonus weeks unlocked when both parents claim at least one week.
Is the choice reversible?
No — the standard/extended election binds both parents once benefits start; model it first.
Are EI benefits taxable?
Yes — with minimal withholding at source; set aside for the filing-time balance, especially with employer top-ups stacking income.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026