United States · https://decisionscalc.com/tools/canada-ei-benefit-calculator/
Canada EI Maternity & Parental Benefit Calculator (2026)
Estimate your weekly EI benefit and your total over the leave — at both the 55% standard rate and the 33% extended rate — using the 2026 maximum insurable earnings. Updates as you type.
Insurable earnings are capped at $68,900 (2026) for the benefit calculation.
Weekly benefit (standard)
Standard vs extended parental — the trade-off
You pick one option when you apply, and it can't be changed once payments start. Standard pays more per week for a shorter time; extended pays less per week for longer. Here's how your inputs compare:
| Option | Rate | Weekly | Your weeks | Total |
|---|
2026 figures: maximum insurable earnings $68,900; standard max $729/wk (55%); extended max $437/wk (33%). Maternity = 15 weeks at the 55% rate for the birth parent. A one-week unpaid waiting period applies once per claim. Source: Service Canada / Canada.ca.
How EI maternity and parental benefits work
Employment Insurance pays a percentage of your average weekly insurable earnings, not your full salary, and it is capped. For 2026 the maximum insurable earnings figure is $68,900, which sets the ceiling on every benefit below regardless of what you actually earn.
The two parental options
| Benefit | Rate | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity (birth parent) | 55% | 15 weeks |
| Standard parental | 55% | 40 weeks (35 per parent) |
| Extended parental | 33% | 69 weeks (61 per parent) |
The total money is broadly similar either way — extended simply spreads a smaller cheque over a longer leave. The choice is made when you apply and cannot be changed once payments start, which is the single most consequential decision in the whole process.
What the cap means in practice
Because benefits are capped at the maximum insurable earnings, anyone earning above roughly $68,900 receives the same weekly amount as someone earning exactly that. The higher your salary, the larger the gap between your normal pay and your benefit — which is why high earners need a much bigger savings buffer before leave than the headline replacement rate suggests.
Things that change the answer
- Quebec runs its own scheme. QPIP replaces federal EI entirely, with higher replacement rates, a lower entry threshold and dedicated paternity weeks. If you are in Quebec, none of the federal figures above apply to you.
- Employer top-ups are common and are the biggest variable in most household budgets. A Supplemental Unemployment Benefit plan can lift you to near-full pay for part of the leave — check your collective agreement or HR policy before modelling anything.
- You need enough insured hours in the qualifying period, and there is a waiting period before the first payment lands.
- Benefits are taxable income. Tax is withheld at source but often at a lower rate than your marginal rate, so a bill at filing time is common.
- Sharing leave unlocks extra weeks. When both parents claim parental benefits, the family gets additional weeks beyond what one parent alone can take.
Frequently asked questions
How much is EI maternity and parental benefit in 2026?
EI pays 55% of your average weekly insurable earnings for maternity and standard parental benefits, up to a 2026 maximum of $729 per week (based on the $68,900 maximum insurable earnings). The extended parental option pays 33%, up to $437 per week.
What is the difference between standard and extended parental benefits?
Standard parental pays 55% for up to 40 weeks (35 per parent). Extended parental pays a lower 33% for up to 69 weeks (61 per parent). The total amount of money is similar — extended just spreads a smaller weekly cheque over a longer leave. You choose one option when you apply, and it cannot be changed once payments start.
How long is EI maternity leave in Canada?
EI maternity benefits are available for up to 15 weeks for the person giving birth. Parental benefits are separate and can be added on top, shared between both parents.
Is there a waiting period for EI benefits?
Yes — a one-week unpaid waiting period normally applies at the start of a claim, like a deductible, before payments begin.
Related guides and calculators
Compare two scenarios
Snapshot your current numbers, change any input, then snapshot again to see the difference side by side.
No scenarios saved yet — enter your numbers above, then click Save as A.
| Metric | Scenario A | Scenario B | Difference |
|---|