15 weeks of maternity + up to 35 standard or 61 extended parental weeks per parent. Maximum $729 (55%) or $437 (33%).
ESTIMATE
Estimates as of 3 November 2026, for information only — not legal advice or a decision on your claim; Service Canada decides eligibility and the exact amount. 2026 figures from Canada.ca: 55% benefit rate, maximum insurable earnings $68,900, maximum $729 a week (extended parental 33%, $437). Regional rates for 11 October to 7 November 2026.
EI maternity benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 a week in 2026, for up to 15 weeks. Parental benefits follow: up to 35 weeks for one parent at the same 55% (standard), or up to 61 weeks at 33% with a $437 maximum (extended). Parents who share get 5 or 8 bonus weeks. On a $60,000 salary, maternity plus standard parental is $31,750 before tax.
$60,000 salary, one parent. Area = total before tax.
Maternity + parental at a glance
One birth parent, outside Quebec, 2026 maximums.
15 wk maternity35 / 40 wk standard61 / 69 wk extended600 h to qualify
Compare EI with your normal take-home pay
Open the Ontario take-home pay calculator to see your 2026 pay after federal and Ontario tax, CPP and EI premiums — the number EI is really replacing.
You need 600 insurable hours in the 52 weeks before your claim (or since your last claim), and your regular weekly earnings must have dropped by more than 40% because of the birth or adoption. Self-employed people can qualify if they registered for EI special benefits at least 12 months earlier. Workers in Quebec are covered by the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) instead.
Benefit types
Benefit
Who
Weeks
Rate
2026 max/week
Maternity
Birth parent (incl. surrogate)
15
55%
$729
Standard parental
Either parent
up to 35 each, 40 shared
55%
$729
Extended parental
Either parent
up to 61 each, 69 shared
33%
$437
Maternity benefits can start up to 12 weeks before the expected due date and must be taken within 17 weeks of the due date or birth. Standard parental benefits must be paid within 52 weeks of the birth or placement; extended within 78 weeks. Both parents must choose the same option — standard or extended — and the choice can’t be changed once parental benefits have been paid.
One parent, before tax, steady earnings. Above $68,900 the weekly amounts stop at $729 and $437.
Sharing weeks between parents
If both parents claim parental benefits, the pool grows to 40 standard weeks or 69 extended weeks, but neither parent can take more than 35 or 61. That means a birth parent who takes all 35 standard weeks leaves 5 for the other parent — weeks that are lost if nobody uses them. Parents can take their weeks at the same time or one after the other, and each parent is paid at their own rate based on their own earnings. With the 2026 waiver there is no waiting week at all for claims starting by 9 October 2027; normally a couple serves only one.
Working, top-ups and tax
Working while on maternity benefits: earnings are deducted dollar for dollar. On parental benefits, the working-while-on-claim rule applies (keep 50 cents per dollar up to 90% of previous weekly earnings).
Employer top-ups through a registered supplemental unemployment benefit (SUB) plan are not deducted, so many employers top up to 75–100% of salary for part of the leave.
Tax: maternity and parental benefits are taxable (income tax is withheld) but are never subject to the EI repayment.
Apply within four weeks of your last day of work; you can apply for maternity and parental benefits on the same application.
Check your take-home pay before and after
The Ontario take-home pay calculator shows your 2026 net pay after tax, CPP and EI premiums — the income your EI benefit is replacing.
55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 a week before tax, for up to 15 weeks.
How long is EI parental leave?
Standard: up to 35 weeks per parent (40 shared) at 55%. Extended: up to 61 weeks per parent (69 shared) at 33%.
What is the maximum extended parental benefit in 2026?
$437 a week (33% of maximum insurable earnings of $68,900 ÷ 52).
How many hours do I need for maternity EI?
600 insurable hours in the 52 weeks before your claim or since your last claim.
Is EI maternity leave available in Quebec?
No. Quebec residents receive maternity and parental benefits from the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP); they can still claim EI sickness and regular benefits.
Do I have to repay maternity EI if I earn a lot?
No. The EI repayment (clawback) applies only to regular benefits, not to maternity, parental or sickness benefits.
Benefit rate and maximums: Canada.ca “EI regular benefits: How much you could receive” and the maternity/parental and sickness benefit-amount pages — 55% of average insurable weekly earnings; maximum yearly insurable earnings $68,900 from 1 January 2026 ($65,700 in 2025); maximum $729 a week ($695 in 2025); extended parental 33%, maximum $437.
Best weeks (14 to 22) and the weeks you can be paid come from the regional unemployment rate: Employment Insurance Act, Schedule I, and Service Canada’s “EI Program Characteristics” for 11 October to 7 November 2026 (rates are updated every four weeks).
2026 temporary measures: Canada Gazette Part II, SOR/2026-203 (EI Pilot Project No. 25, in force 11 October 2026) — waiting week waived and separation money not deducted for claims starting up to 9 October 2027; up to 20 extra weeks for long-tenured workers for claims starting up to 12 June 2027; only the most recent separation assessed.
Repayment (clawback): 30% of the lesser of regular benefits or net income above $86,125 (2026 = 1.25 × maximum insurable earnings). Premiums 2026: 1.63% of insurable earnings (Quebec 1.30%), maximum $1,123.07.
Tax withheld is our estimate: the weekly benefit annualized through 2026 federal and Ontario tax brackets with basic personal amounts (and the Ontario Health Premium). Service Canada’s actual deduction and your final tax depend on your total income for the year. Take-home pay while working: 2026 Ontario, from our Canada salary after tax engine.