EI Caregiving Benefits and Caregiver Leave in Ontario: Paid and Protected Time Off to Care for a Parent
The three EI caregiving benefits (family caregiver for adults, compassionate care and for children), how much they pay in 2026, who qualifies, and the unpaid job-protected leaves in Ontario that go with them.
By Jonathan Kennedy · Last reviewed October 2026
Photo: Rochelle Hartman, CC BY 2.0
On this page (5 sections)
EI caregiving benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026, for up to 15 weeks to care for a critically ill or injured adult (family caregiver benefit for adults) or up to 26 weeks for someone at risk of dying within 26 weeks (compassionate care benefits) (Service Canada, checked October 2026). You need 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks, and the weeks can be shared with other family members.
Maybe your dad's surgery went badly, or your mom's diagnosis came with a timeline. You want to be there, but you also have a job, a mortgage and a manager asking when you'll be back. These benefits exist so you don't have to pick one. They won't replace your full pay, but they buy time when it matters most.
Do this next:
- Ask your parent's doctor or nurse practitioner for the medical certificate, then apply online through Service Canada.
- Tell your employer which Ontario leave you're taking (see below), in writing.
- Line up help for the days you can't be there: compare home care agencies or read our caregiver support guide.
Which EI caregiving benefit fits your situation?
| Benefit | For | Maximum weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Family caregiver benefit for adults | Someone 18 or older who is critically ill or injured | 15 |
| Compassionate care benefits | Someone of any age at significant risk of death within 26 weeks | 26 |
| Family caregiver benefit for children | A child under 18 who is critically ill or injured | 35 |
A doctor or nurse practitioner certifies the person's condition. "Family" is broad: it includes people who are like family to you, and you don't need to live together.
Our take: If the prognosis is uncertain, ask the doctor about compassionate care first. It's the longest benefit for an adult. Apply as soon as you stop working, so the claim starts on time.
How much do EI caregiving benefits pay?
55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, to a maximum of $729 a week in 2026. The benefit is taxable. Low-income families may get a higher rate through the EI family supplement.
Example (illustrative): if you earn $1,000 a week, you'd get about $550 a week before tax. At about $1,330 a week or more, you'd get the $729 maximum.
Who qualifies for EI caregiving benefits?
- At least 600 insured hours of work in the last 52 weeks (or since your last claim).
- Your normal weekly earnings dropped by more than 40% because you're caring for the person.
- Self-employed: only if you've registered for EI special benefits and waited the required time, with at least $9,254 in net self-employment earnings in 2025.
Several family members can share the weeks, at the same time or one after the other.
What job-protected leave do you get in Ontario?
EI pays you; the leave protects your job. Under Ontario's Employment Standards Act, the main unpaid leaves for caring for an adult are:
| Ontario leave | Length | For |
|---|---|---|
| Family caregiver leave | Up to 8 weeks a year per family member | A serious medical condition |
| Critical illness leave | Up to 17 weeks for an adult | A critically ill adult family member |
| Family medical leave | Up to 28 weeks in a 52-week period | Significant risk of death within 26 weeks |
Family caregiver leave has no minimum length of employment. Your employer can ask for a certificate from a qualified health practitioner, which you can provide later. Federally regulated workers (banks, airlines, telecoms) are covered by the Canada Labour Code instead.
What else can help while you're off work?
- Tax: if your parent depends on you, look at the Canada caregiver credit and claiming their medical expenses.
- Care: a private agency can cover nights or the days you go back to work. Our palliative care guide explains care at the end of life in Ontario.
- Paperwork: make sure the power of attorney is in place while your parent can still sign it.
Frequently asked questions
How much do EI caregiving benefits pay in 2026?
55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026. The benefits are taxable.
How many weeks of EI can I get to care for a parent?
Up to 15 weeks with the family caregiver benefit for adults, or up to 26 weeks of compassionate care benefits if your parent is at significant risk of dying within 26 weeks. Family members can share the weeks.
Do I need to live with my parent to get EI caregiving benefits?
No. You don't need to live with the person, and family includes people who are like family to you.
How long is caregiver leave in Ontario?
Family caregiver leave is up to 8 weeks a year per family member, unpaid and job-protected. Family medical leave is up to 28 weeks in 52 weeks, and critical illness leave up to 17 weeks for an adult.
Can self-employed people get EI caregiving benefits?
Only if they've registered for EI special benefits in advance and earned at least $9,254 in net self-employment income in 2025.
Last reviewed October 2026. We keep our guides current as costs, programs, and options change.
Need personal guidance?
Our advisors can help you apply this to your family, free and confidential.
