Use this page when you want the federal EI maternity or parental benefit estimate itself — weekly amount, rate, maximum, and total — without a full household budget.
The 2026 maximum weekly EI maternity benefit is $729. Maternity benefits pay 55% of average insurable weekly earnings for up to 15 weeks. Most people receive less than the maximum if their insurable earnings are below the yearly ceiling.
Standard parental benefits have the same 2026 weekly maximum as maternity: $729 at 55%. Extended parental benefits have a lower weekly maximum of $437 at 33%.
Standard parental benefits pay 55% for up to 40 weeks shared, with one parent usually limited to 35 weeks, generally within 52 weeks of birth or adoption. Extended parental benefits pay 33% for up to 69 weeks shared, with one parent usually limited to 61 weeks, generally within 78 weeks.
Yes. Parental weeks are a shared pool. In 2026, standard parental weeks total 40 and extended weeks total 69. One parent cannot usually take the entire pool.
Yes. Parents can take parental benefits at the same time or at different times, as long as the shared week limits and claiming window are respected. Service Canada explains the current claiming rules.
Once you choose standard or extended parental benefits, that choice generally applies to the claim. Confirm the current rule with Service Canada before you apply. This calculator does not change a submitted claim.
Yes. EI benefits are taxable. Tax may be withheld from the benefit, and the amount still belongs on your tax return. Figures on this page are estimated benefits, not after-tax take-home.
A top-up is employer-paid income on top of EI, often for a limited number of weeks. It is not part of the federal EI calculation. Use the parental leave calculator if you want to include a top-up in a household estimate.
Québec administers maternity, paternity, parental, and adoption benefits through QPIP. Federal EI maternity and parental rules do not apply to most Québec claims. This page will not produce a federal EI estimate for Québec.
The published weekly maximum is $729 for up to 15 weeks at 55% of insurable weekly earnings.
Standard parental benefits max out at $729 a week. Extended parental benefits max out at $437 a week.