EI Maternity & Parental Benefits Calculator
What is the maximum EI maternity benefit in 2026?
The 2026 maximum weekly EI maternity benefit is $729.00, which is 55% of insurable weekly earnings up to the yearly maximum. Maternity benefits last up to 15 weeks. On an $80,000 example that is $729.00 a week, or $10,935.00 over 15 weeks before tax.
- 2026 maternity rate
- 55%
- 2026 weekly maximum
- $729.00
- Maternity weeks
- Up to 15
- Example weekly benefit
- $729.00
- Example total (15 weeks)
- $10,935.00
- Standard parental maximum
- $729.00 / week at 55%
- Extended parental maximum
- $437.00 / week at 33%
Tax year: 2026 Canada (federal EI) Last updated: September 7, 2026 Methodology
Source: EI maternity and parental benefits; EI maternity and parental benefits: How much you can receive; EI maternity and parental benefits: Eligibility
Use this page when you want the federal EI maternity or parental benefit estimate itself — weekly amount, rate, maximum, and total — without a full household budget.
Rates verified for 2026. Last reviewed September 7, 2026.
Estimated weekly benefit
$729.00
55% of insurable weekly earnings, up to $729.00 in 2026.
- Benefit rate
- 55%
- Applicable maximum
- $729.00
- Selected weeks
- 15 / 15 usual maximum
- Approximate monthly equivalent
- $3,159.00
- Estimated total benefit
- $10,935.00
Want to see what this means for your actual household budget?
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Estimates only. Actual EI benefits depend on your insurable earnings, eligibility, Service Canada calculations and individual circumstances. Government benefit amounts and eligibility can change.
What is the maximum EI maternity benefit in 2026?
The 2026 maximum weekly EI maternity benefit is $729. Maternity benefits pay 55% of average insurable weekly earnings for up to 15 weeks. Most people receive less than the maximum if their insurable earnings are below the yearly ceiling.
What is the maximum EI parental benefit in 2026?
Standard parental benefits have the same 2026 weekly maximum as maternity: $729 at 55%. Extended parental benefits have a lower weekly maximum of $437 at 33%.
What is the difference between standard and extended parental benefits?
Standard parental benefits pay 55% for up to 40 weeks shared, with one parent usually limited to 35 weeks, generally within 52 weeks of birth or adoption. Extended parental benefits pay 33% for up to 69 weeks shared, with one parent usually limited to 61 weeks, generally within 78 weeks.
Can both parents receive parental benefits?
Yes. Parental weeks are a shared pool. In 2026, standard parental weeks total 40 and extended weeks total 69. One parent cannot usually take the entire pool.
Can parents take parental benefits at the same time?
Yes. Parents can take parental benefits at the same time or at different times, as long as the shared week limits and claiming window are respected. Service Canada explains the current claiming rules.
Can I switch from standard to extended later?
Once you choose standard or extended parental benefits, that choice generally applies to the claim. Confirm the current rule with Service Canada before you apply. This calculator does not change a submitted claim.
Is EI maternity/parental income taxable?
Yes. EI benefits are taxable. Tax may be withheld from the benefit, and the amount still belongs on your tax return. Figures on this page are estimated benefits, not after-tax take-home.
How does an employer top-up work?
A top-up is employer-paid income on top of EI, often for a limited number of weeks. It is not part of the federal EI calculation. Use the parental leave calculator if you want to include a top-up in a household estimate.
How does parental leave work in Québec?
Québec administers maternity, paternity, parental, and adoption benefits through QPIP. Federal EI maternity and parental rules do not apply to most Québec claims. This page will not produce a federal EI estimate for Québec.
Example: $80,000 maternity benefits
On $80,000 of annual earnings, estimated maternity EI is $729.00 a week for 15 weeks, or $10,935.00 before tax. That uses the 55% rate and the published weekly maximum of $729.00.
| Benefit rate | 55% |
|---|---|
| Estimated weekly benefit | $729.00 |
| Applicable maximum | $729.00 |
| Weeks | 15 / 15 |
| Estimated total | $10,935.00 |
Methodology
The weekly estimate is the benefit rate times average insurable weekly earnings, capped at the published maximum for that program. If you enter weekly insurable earnings, they are annualized as weekly × 52 before the same cap is applied. Shared-parent entries reduce weeks when the combined total exceeds the shared maximum. See how calculations work.
Want to see what this means for your actual household budget?
Sources
- EI maternity and parental benefits — Program overview, eligibility, and claiming rules
- EI maternity and parental benefits: How much you can receive — 2026 benefit rates, weekly maxima, and standard vs extended weeks
- EI maternity and parental benefits: Eligibility — Insurable-hours and eligibility requirements
- Québec Parental Insurance Plan — Québec maternity, paternity, parental, and adoption benefits (QPIP)
Estimates only. Actual EI benefits depend on your insurable earnings, eligibility, Service Canada calculations, and individual circumstances. This is not a Service Canada or Government of Canada service. Government benefit amounts and eligibility can change. Verify your entitlement with the Government of Canada. Paycheque.app is not affiliated with the Government of Canada, Service Canada, CRA, or Etsy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum EI maternity benefit in 2026?
The published weekly maximum is $729 for up to 15 weeks at 55% of insurable weekly earnings.
What is the maximum EI parental benefit in 2026?
Standard parental benefits max out at $729 a week. Extended parental benefits max out at $437 a week.
What’s the difference between standard and extended parental benefits?
Standard pays 55% for fewer weeks. Extended pays 33% for more weeks. Neither option is always better financially.
Can both parents receive parental benefits?
Yes. The weeks are shared. One parent cannot usually receive the full shared maximum.
Can parents take parental benefits at the same time?
Yes, they can overlap or be taken separately, subject to the shared week limit and claiming window.
Can I switch from standard to extended later?
The standard or extended choice generally applies to the claim. Check with Service Canada before you apply.
Is EI maternity/parental income taxable?
Yes. EI benefits are taxable income. This calculator shows estimated benefits, not after-tax pay.
How does parental leave work in Québec?
Québec uses QPIP rather than federal EI for most maternity and parental benefits. Use the official RQAP service.