Federal · employment and care conditions apply / Family, children & caregiving

Apply for EI maternity and parental benefits

Prepared by Active K Digital · Sources checked 2026-11-03

How do I apply for EI maternity and parental benefits?

Choose the applicable maternity or parental benefits, then apply online promptly after stopping work. Each parent sharing parental benefits files their own application and must use the same standard or extended option.

Where to begin

Choose the applicable benefit and, for parental benefits, the standard or extended option. Coordinate that choice with the other parent if sharing.
Complete the online application with employment, birth or adoption, and payment information. Supporting documents can follow.
Provide required paper records of employment and other requested documents. Electronic ROEs go directly to Service Canada.
Check the application through My Service Canada Account. An access code or benefit statement is not approval.

Before you open the official service

Employment history and birth/adoption details
The agreed parental option if sharing benefits

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

This guide describes EI benefits, not provincial job-protected leave. Do not assume Quebec residents use the same maternity/parental benefit program.

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

canada.ca · Official websiteService Canada — Apply for EI maternity and parental benefitsApply online as soon as possible after stopping work; documents need not all be ready before applying. Each parent sharing benefits applies separately and selects the same standard or extended option. That choice cannot be changed after parental payments start to either sharing parent. Electronic ROEs are supplied by employers. Required paper documents can be mailed or delivered to Service Canada. My Service Canada Account shows claim status. Receiving a benefit statement and access code does not establish approval.Checked Nov 3, 2026

Prepared by Active K Digital from the linked public guidance. Read our source approach.