Employment insurance benefits for caregivers

What are EI caregiving benefits?

Federal Employment Insurance (EI) caregiving benefits are available to eligible caregivers who provide care or support to a patient who is critically ill, injured or in need of end-of-life care.

On a day-to-day basis, you balance work and caring for someone close to you. This is where you exercise your employment insurance rights as a caregiver.

Specifics of employment insurance benefits

EI caregiving benefits provide financial assistance while you’re away from work to care for or support a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care. You could receive 55% of your earnings.

As a caregiver, you don’t have to be related to or live with the person you care for or support, but they must consider you to be like a family member.

There are 3 types of caregiving benefits:

• Benefits for caregivers of children who provide care or support to a critically ill or injured person under 18. Up to 35 weeks of benefits;
• Benefits for caregivers of adults who provide care or support to a critically ill or injured person 18 or over. Up to 15 weeks of benefits;
• Compassionate care benefit to provide care or support to a person of any age who requires end-of-life care. Up to 26 weeks of benefits.

EI caregiving benefits mini glossary

• Different caregivers: benefits may be shared between different eligible caregivers;
• Family member: includes immediate family as well as any other family member or individual considered a family member, whether or not that person is related by marriage or common-law, or any other legal parent-child relationship;
• Benefits: this is the Government of Canada’s term for employment insurance payments. Tax benefits (federal and provincial) exist for caregivers;
• Care: care provided to someone who is critically ill or injured, or in need of end-of-life care;
• End-of-life care: care or support provided to a critically ill person who is likely to die within the next 26 weeks (6 months);
• Support: psychological or emotional support provided to a critically ill or injured person, or one who requires end-of-life care.

Process

• See if you qualify;
• Apply. In all cases, it is strongly suggested that you apply for benefits and let a Service Canada representative assess your eligibility;
• EI Contact information. A toll-free number is available: 1-800-808-6352.