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EI parental benefits require a choice between standard and extended options when you apply. Before you begin, decide how many weeks of leave your household expects, whether benefits will be shared, and which weekly amount is more workable for your budget.
Know what standard and extended mean
The official application page lists standard parental benefits as up to 35 weeks and up to $729 a week. It lists extended parental benefits as up to 61 weeks and up to $437 a week. These are published maximums, not a promise of the amount an individual claim will receive.
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The choice affects the parental portion of EI benefits, so compare the duration and weekly amount as one decision. A longer period may suit a longer leave, while a shorter period may provide a higher weekly maximum; your own circumstances determine which arrangement is manageable.
Decide together if benefits will be shared
When parents share parental benefits, each parent must choose the same option. If the applications do not match, Service Canada uses the choice on the first application received to determine the parental-benefit option for all parents, so a short conversation before applying can prevent confusion.
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The parental option cannot be changed once a week of parental benefits has been paid to you. If benefits are shared, it also cannot be changed after a payment has been made to the other parent. Treat the selection as a decision to settle before the first payment.
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Apply promptly after stopping work
Service Canada says to apply as soon as possible after you stop working. Its guidance warns that applying more than 4 weeks after your last day of work may cause you to lose benefits, so do not postpone starting solely because every document is not yet available.
You can complete and submit the online application right away, then send required documents after you apply. This approach lets you start the claim process while you collect records or confirm details that are still outstanding.
Gather the information the application asks for
The application page says you will need personal and work information, including employer details from the past 52 weeks, employment dates, your Social Insurance Number, banking information for direct deposit, and the child’s expected or actual date of birth. If you plan to share benefits, you also need the other parent’s SIN.
- Choose the option Confirm standard or extended parental benefits before beginning the application.
- Check shared plans If another parent will share benefits, confirm that you have both selected the same option.
- Collect key details Have employer, employment, SIN, banking, and child-date information ready.
- Submit online Start the application as soon as possible after stopping work; provide outstanding documents afterward if needed.
- Keep follow-up details After Service Canada receives the application, watch for the mailed benefit statement and four-digit access code needed to follow up.
After you submit the application
After your application is received, Service Canada says it will mail a benefit statement with a 4-digit access code. You need that code and your SIN to follow up on the application. Receiving the statement does not mean that a decision has been made on your claim.
For application status, the official page says you can register or sign in to My Service Canada Account, or contact Service Canada. Keep your own copies of what you submit and use the official portal or contact options if you need current, case-specific information.
Frequently asked questions
When can I start receiving parental benefits?
Service Canada says parental benefits can start in the week your child is born or placed with you for adoption. Your individual eligibility and payment details are determined through the EI application.
Can I apply for maternity and parental benefits together?
Yes. The official page says that when you apply for maternity benefits, you can also apply for parental benefits, which can save time later.
What if my child is born on a different date than expected?
The official guidance says you must let Service Canada know as soon as possible if the actual date differs from the date entered on your application. It lists phone and Service Canada Centre options.
Do I need paper records of employment?
Electronic ROEs are sent directly to Service Canada, so you do not need to request copies for the application. If an employer issues paper ROEs, request the copies and provide them as soon as possible after submitting the application.
