EI maternity and parental benefits: how many weeks and how much a week
Quick summary
Employment Insurance pays up to 15 weeks of maternity benefits at 55% of your earnings, to a maximum of $729 a week. Parents can then share up to 40 weeks of standard parental benefits at the same rate, or up to 69 weeks of extended parental benefits at 33%, to a maximum of $437 a week. One parent cannot take more than 35 standard or 61 extended weeks. Your child benefit is separate, see how to apply for the Canada Child Benefit.
Checked November 4, 2026. Main source: Canada.ca: EI maternity and parental benefits, what these benefits offer (modified Oct. 22, 2026). See all 2 sources.
Key facts
- Maternity
- Up to 15 weeks at 55% of earnings, to $729 a week
- Source: Canada.ca, modified Oct. 22, 2026
- Standard parental
- Up to 40 weeks shared, no more than 35 for one parent, 55% to $729 a week
- Source: Canada.ca, modified Oct. 22, 2026
- Extended parental
- Up to 69 weeks shared, no more than 61 for one parent, 33% to $437 a week
- Source: Canada.ca, modified Oct. 22, 2026
- Time to use parental weeks
- Within 52 weeks (standard) or 78 weeks (extended) of the birth or placement
- Source: Canada.ca, modified Oct. 22, 2026
The three types at a glance
| Type | Weeks | Rate | Weekly maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity | Up to 15, for the person who is pregnant or gave birth | 55% | $729 |
| Standard parental | Up to 40 shared, 35 for one parent | 55% | $729 |
| Extended parental | Up to 69 shared, 61 for one parent | 33% | $437 |
The rate is a share of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to the maximum.
Using the weeks in time
Parental weeks must be taken within 52 weeks for standard, or 78 weeks for extended, starting from the week of the child's birth or the adoption placement.
What we could not confirm
- How many hours of work you need to qualify. The page we read sends you to a separate page.
- The application deadline. The page we read does not state one.
- The $729 and $437 figures also appear on a second Canada.ca page dated July 29, 2024. Use the main page and the Service Canada estimator for your own figure.
Questions people ask
How much is EI maternity pay a week?
Canada.ca says 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week.
How long can I get parental benefits?
Up to 40 weeks shared (35 for one parent) at the standard rate, or up to 69 weeks shared (61 for one parent) at the extended rate.
What is the extended rate?
Extended parental benefits pay 33% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $437 a week, over more weeks.
Does your province have its own rules?
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