When payments start

You’ll receive your first payment about 28 days after you apply if you’re eligible and have provided all required information. If you’re not eligible, we’ll notify you of the decision made about your application.

Waiting period

Before you start receiving benefits, there is 1 week for which you won’t be paid. This is called the waiting period. It’s like the deductible that you pay for other types of insurance.

If you’re sharing benefits for the same person with other caregivers, only 1 caregiver serves the waiting period. Please contact Service Canada to confirm which caregiver will serve the 1-week waiting period.

How much you could receive

We can’t tell you exactly how much you’ll receive until your application is processed. For most people, the basic rate used to calculate Employment Insurance (EI) benefits is 55% of average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount. In 2023, the maximum amount is $650 a week.

Check or update your information

With My Service Canada Account, you can check the status of your EI application. You can also:

• view and update your personal information
• find out when your payments start and end
• sign up for direct deposit or change your direct deposit details

Check the status of your application

While receiving benefits

While receiving caregiving benefits, you must continue to be eligible. Please contact Service Canada if:

• the person you're providing care or support to no longer requires your care or support, or
• you start working or earn money. For more information on how earnings impact your benefits, visit Working while on claim

If you don't inform us of these changes, you risk being overpaid and having to repay benefits.

If your situation changes

You may be eligible for other types of EI benefits. This could include a different caregiving benefit if the state of health of the person you're caring for changes, or sickness benefits if you become ill yourself. You must meet the conditions for each benefit.

We encourage you to contact Service Canada for advice on your specific circumstances.

When payments end

You'll stop receiving benefits if:

• the critically ill or injured person, or person needing end-of-life care, no longer requires your care or support
• you or other caregivers have been paid for the maximum time period the benefit allows:
  • Family caregiver benefit for children: maximum 35 weeks
  • Family caregiver benefit for adults: maximum 15 weeks
  • Compassionate care benefits: maximum 26 weeks
• you've received the maximum weeks of benefits payable to you when the benefit is combined with other types of EI benefits
• 52 weeks have passed since the time the person was certified critically ill or injured, or certified as needing end-of-life care
• you've reached the end of your claim period
  • when you start a claim for any type of EI benefits, your claim is open for a certain period of time. This is usually 52 weeks. In some situations, the claim period may be extended up to a maximum of 2 years

If you disagree with the decision about your application for EI benefits

You can request a reconsideration of the decision. You must submit a request for reconsideration within 30 days after the day the decision was communicated to you. You can contact Service Canada to help you with your reconsideration request.