Canadian · Employment Insurance
EI caregiving benefit calculator.
For time off to care for a family member, not yourself: the same 55% of average insurable weekly earnings rate as other EI benefits, but with a maximum length that depends on WHO you're caring for.
For 2026, the maximum weekly amount is $729, capped by the $68,900 maximum insurable earnings. How many weeks you can claim depends on the benefit: up to 35 weeks for a critically ill or injured child under 18, up to 15 weeks for a critically ill or injured adult, or up to 26 weeks for end-of-life (compassionate) care.
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Three benefits, one rate, different maximums
All three EI caregiving benefits share the same weekly-rate formula: 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to the same maximum insurable earnings as every other EI benefit ($68,900 for 2026, a $1,325.00 weekly cap, giving a maximum weekly benefit of $729). What differs is how long you can claim, set directly in the Employment Insurance Act:
| Benefit | Who it's for | Maximum weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Compassionate care | A family member at significant risk of death within 26 weeks, needing end-of-life care | 26 weeks (within a 52-week window) |
| Family caregiver — child | A critically ill or injured child under 18 | 35 weeks |
| Family caregiver — adult | A critically ill or injured family member 18 or older | 15 weeks |
The weeks for the child and adult benefits can be divided among multiple family members claiming for the same person, up to that same combined maximum. Eligibility needs 600 insured hours in the qualifying period, earnings reduced by more than 40% for at least one week, a medical certificate, and a qualifying (or "like family") relationship to the person you're caring for.
Sources, fetched 26 September 2026: Canada.ca — EI caregiving benefits: how much you could get, Canada.ca — EI caregiving benefits eligibility, Employment Insurance Act s.23.1 (26 weeks), s.23.2 (35 weeks), s.23.3 (15 weeks).
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as EI sickness benefits?
No. EI sickness is for your own illness. These three caregiving benefits are for taking time off to care for someone else — a critically ill child, a critically ill adult, or someone needing end-of-life care.
What's the maximum EI caregiving payment for 2026?
$729 a week for every caregiving benefit type. The total maximum depends on the weeks: up to $25,515 for the 35-week child benefit, $18,954 for the 26-week compassionate care benefit, or $10,935 for the 15-week adult benefit, all at the maximum weekly rate.
Can more than one family member claim for the same person?
Yes. The total weeks for a given person can be divided among multiple eligible caregivers, either at the same time or one after another, up to the same overall maximum for that benefit type.
Do I need a medical certificate?
Yes, for all three benefits — from a doctor or nurse practitioner (one abroad is accepted if the person you're caring for lives outside Canada), confirming the critical illness, injury or end-of-life status and the expected time period of care needed.
Estimate only
This tool assumes you already know your average insurable weekly earnings (Service Canada calculates that figure from your best weeks in the qualifying period, which this tool does not model) and that you meet the 600-insured-hour eligibility test and medical-certificate requirement. It does not model weeks shared among multiple caregivers claiming for the same person. Apply directly through Service Canada for a binding assessment.