Special-Benefits-Print

In addition to the traditional Employment Insurance benefits, the Employment Insurance Act provides for three special
benefits. These special benefits are described below.

Sickness Benefits
Workers who are unable to work due to injury or sickness may be entitled to sick benefits. In order to receive sick benefits
a person must have worked 600 hours during the qualifying period. Unlike the number of hours needed to qualify for
regular EI benefits, the 600 hours does not fluctuate.

A worker does not have to have lost his job in order to receive sick benefits. A person is also entitled to sick benefits even
if he/she quit or was fired from the job.

Maternity & Parental Benefits
A woman who is pregnant, has recently given birth, has adopted a child or is caring for a newborn is entitled to maternity
benefits. Maternity benefits are payable for a maximum of 15 weeks.

Parental benefits are payable either to the biological or adoptive parents while they are caring for a new-born or an adopted
child. Parental benefits are payable for a maximum of 35 weeks.

In order to receive maternity or parental benefits, a person must have worked 600 hours during the qualifying period.
Unlike the number of hours needed to qualify for regular EI benefits, the 600 hours does not fluctuate. A person is entitled
to maternity or parental benefits even if he/she quit or was fired from the job.

Compassionate Care Benefits
A person who must provide care and support to a family member who is gravely ill with a significant risk of death is
entitled to compassionate care benefits. Compassionate care benefits may be paid up to a maximum of 6 weeks. The basic
benefit rate is 55% of your average insured earnings up to a maximum payment of $423 per week.

In order to receive compassionate care benefits, your regular weekly earnings from work must have decreased by more
than 40% and you must have worked 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks or since the start of your last claim.

Employment Insurance: Special Benefits
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