Maternity, standard and extended at a glance
| Benefit | Weeks | Rate | Weekly maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity (person who gave birth) | up to 15 | 55% | $729 |
| Standard parental | up to 40 shared; 35 at most per parent | 55% | $729 |
| Extended parental | up to 69 shared; 61 at most per parent | 33% | $437 |
Source: Service Canada, page updated October 22, 2026.
How the plan is worked out
total insurable earnings in best weeks
÷ best weeks for your region (14 to 22)Same rule as regular EI benefitsmaternity and standard: 55%, up to $729
extended: 33%, up to $437$1,000 a week → $550 standard or $330 extendedmaternity 15 + your parental weeks
shared pool: 40 standard or 69 extended15 + 35 = 50 weeks for the person who gave birth- Maternity benefits are for the person who gave birth and cannot be shared. They are paid at 55% even if you then choose extended parental benefits.
- To qualify you need 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks and a drop of more than 40% in weekly earnings.
- Parental weeks must be taken within 52 weeks (standard) or 78 weeks (extended) of the birth or placement.
Frequently asked questions
How much are EI maternity and parental benefits?
55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to $729 a week, for maternity and standard parental benefits. Extended parental benefits pay 33%, up to $437 a week.
How many weeks can I get?
Up to 15 weeks of maternity benefits for the person who gave birth, plus parental benefits: up to 35 weeks standard or 61 weeks extended for one parent. Parents who share get up to 40 or 69 weeks in total.
Should I choose standard or extended?
Standard pays more per week over fewer weeks; extended pays less per week over more weeks. The total is similar, but you cannot change once a payment has been made to either parent.
Do I qualify?
You need 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks (or since your last claim) and your regular weekly earnings must have dropped by more than 40% for at least one week.
I live in Quebec. Can I use this?
No. Quebec runs its own plan, the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan, with different rates and weeks. The figures here are for EI outside Quebec.
Does my employer top up my pay?
Some employers do. A top-up is separate from EI and is not included here; ask your employer.
Last updated
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How we check
Automated tests check the rates and maximums ($729 and $437), the 15-week maternity period, the 35 and 61 week limits for one parent, the shared pools (40 and 69 weeks) and Service Canada’s two worked examples: 15 + 35 = 50 weeks with 5 weeks for the partner, and 15 + 61 = 76 weeks with 8 weeks for the partner.
The weekly amount reuses the regular EI calculation, which is tested against the $729 maximum.
Limits: we did not compare results with Service Canada’s estimator. Rounding to the nearest dollar is our reading. The family supplement, employer top-ups, eligibility hours and Quebec’s plan are not modelled.