Parental Leave Benefits Calculator
Estimate your EI maternity and parental leave benefits, see the income gap you'll need to budget for, and understand Quebec's QPIP system if applicable.
Your Details
Weekly EI Benefit
$582
55% of insurable earnings
Total EI Income
$29,087
Over 50 paid weeks
Monthly Income Gap
$2,062
Salary minus EI per month
Leave Duration
50 weeks
50 paid weeks (no waiting period)
Leave Breakdown
| Period | Weeks | Benefit Rate | Weekly Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity (birth parent) | 15 | 55% | $582 |
| Parental | 35 | 55% | $582 |
The usual one-week waiting period is waived for claims starting by October 9, 2027. Check Service Canada for the rule on your claim date.
Monthly Income: Pre-Leave vs During Leave
How to Prepare Financially
Build a leave fund
Save the monthly income gap ($2,062/mo) multiplied by the number of months on leave. Start saving as early as possible during pregnancy.
Canada Child Benefit (CCB)
Once your baby arrives, you may receive up to $8,157/year per child under 6 or $6,883 for ages 6–17 for July 2026–June 2027 under 6 (income-tested). This helps offset the income gap significantly. Apply as soon as the baby is born.
Plan around lower RRSP room
EI maternity and parental benefits are taxable but are not earned income for RRSP purposes, so they don't create new room. Salary earned earlier in the leave year still does, and any unused room you already have carries forward.
Check your employer's policy
Many employers (especially public sector, banks, and tech companies) offer top-up to 93-100% of salary. This makes a massive difference. Ask HR early.