EI Maternity & Parental Leave Calculator

Calculate your EI maternity and parental leave benefits, weekly income, total duration, and estimated total payments. Supports both standard federal EI and Quebec QPIP.

EI Maternity & Parental Leave Calculator

Estimate your Employment Insurance (EI) benefits for maternity and parental leave. This calculator shows your weekly benefit amount, total entitlement, and a week-by-week timeline. Note: Quebec residents are covered by QPIP instead — see the note in results.

Divide your annual insurable income by 52, or use your actual average weekly amount. Maximum insurable earnings: $68,900/year (2026).
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Select the date your leave will start (or did start).
Quebec has QPIP instead of federal EI; rates are noted in results.
Type of Leave
If your partner is also taking parental leave, you each receive additional weeks: +5 weeks for standard, or +8 weeks for extended.
Applies Canada-wide federal rules.Rules verified: March 1, 2025Inputs stay in your browser

Official sources

Limitations

  • Quebec residents receive QPIP benefits instead of EI maternity/parental — not covered here.
  • Weekly benefit is 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings over your best weeks; this tool uses the weekly earnings you enter as that average.

Results are estimates for general information and are not legal, tax, payroll or financial advice. Employment contracts, collective agreements and individual circumstances can change what you are owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are EI maternity benefits?

EI maternity benefits are payments from Service Canada (Employment Insurance) to help support you during maternity leave. They provide a percentage of your regular income while you are unable to work due to pregnancy or childbirth.

Is there a waiting period before benefits start?

Yes, there is typically a one-week waiting period before EI maternity benefits begin. This means your first eligible week of benefits starts after one week of leave.

What is the difference between standard and extended maternity leave?

Standard maternity benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement. Extended maternity benefits allow you to spread the same total income over up to 18 weeks at a lower weekly rate. You can choose the option that works best for you.

What about Quebec QPIP (Québec Parental Insurance Plan)?

Quebec residents are covered under QPIP instead of federal EI. QPIP has different benefit amounts, waiting periods, and durations. This calculator supports both EI and QPIP calculations.

How are my weekly benefits calculated?

EI maternity benefits are calculated as 55% of your average insurable earnings from the 52 weeks before your leave, up to a maximum weekly amount set by Service Canada each year.

What are insurable earnings?

Insurable earnings are the wages and salary you earned while employed and contributing to EI. Self-employment income and certain benefits do not count as insurable earnings.

Can my partner and I share maternity and parental benefits?

Yes. If both parents are eligible for EI, you can share parental benefits (which are different from maternity benefits). One parent can take up to 18 months of parental leave and the benefits can be split between partners.

When should I apply for EI maternity benefits?

You should apply as soon as possible after your baby is born, ideally within the first four weeks. You can apply online through My Service Canada Account or by calling Service Canada.

How accurate is this calculator?

This calculator is a tool for estimation based on current EI rules and maximum benefit amounts. Your actual benefits depend on your specific situation and Service Canada's assessment. Always verify with Service Canada for official amounts.