Parental Leave Income Reporting

You are eligible for up to 26 consecutive weeks of benefits as long as you have earned qualifying income for at least 20 weeks in the 12 months prior to your leave. If you have earned qualifying income for less than 20 weeks in the year prior to your leave, your maximum benefit period will be equal to the number of weeks you actually worked. The amount of your weekly benefit is based on your qualifying income over the past year.

The amount of your weekly benefit is based on your qualifying income over the past year. It will be calculated as 60% of your average gross weekly earnings over the best six months of the 12 months (or portion thereof) immediately prior to your leave. However, the maximum gross benefit is $2,000 per week, regardless if you average weekly incomes exceeds $2,000. If you have worked less than six months in the past year, your qualifying income will be calculated on all weeks worked prior to the leave. Benefits will not be adjusted in the case of retroactive pay increases.

Salaried physicians are required to apply for employment insurance (EI) before applying for the Parental Leave Program. The program will top up the employment insurance payment up to a maximum of $2,000 per week.