Apply for EI caregiving benefits
How do I apply for EI caregiving benefits?
Apply online when you stop working or your earnings fall to provide eligible care. Supporting medical documents can follow the application. The family-caregiver and compassionate-care routes require different medical certificates.
Where to begin
- Use the EI caregiving application after work stops or earnings are reduced; do not wait for every supporting document.
- Arrange the medical certificate for the relevant care situation and the authorization to release medical information. A doctor or nurse practitioner completes the medical certificate.
- Send required documents through My Service Canada Account, by mail or at a Service Canada location.
Before you open the official service
- Employment and care information for the official application
- The appropriate medical certificate and signed medical-information authorization
Keep your actual documents and account details off this website. Use the official service’s current checklist before applying.
What to check for your situation
A care relationship alone does not establish benefit eligibility. A non-relative may need the family-member attestation. Do not send medical records to this site.
Fees, processing times and document rules can change. This page helps you navigate; it does not confirm eligibility or replace the government’s instructions.
Official sources
Prepared by Active K Digital from the linked public guidance. Read our source approach.