It is based on income.
Up to a maximum of $400 per week. I think you max at $1600 a month at a low income - around 35K per year. But someone who earns 200K per year also gets the $1600 per month. So you get 15 weeks mat and then 35 weeks parental.
[H2][SPAN class=primarycolor][A id=Maternity3 name=Maternity3]Maternity[/A] benefits[/SPAN][/H2] Maternity benefits are payable to the birth mother or surrogate mother for a maximum of 15 weeks. To receive maternity benefits you are required to have worked for 600 hours in [A href="http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/special.shtml&hs=tyt#Qualifying"]the last 52 weeks or since your last claim[/A]. You need to prove your pregnancy by signing a statement declaring the expected due or actual date of birth.
The mother can start collecting maternity benefits either up to 8 weeks before she is expected to give birth or at the week she gives birth. Maternity benefits can be collected within 17 weeks of the actual or expected week of birth, whichever is later. Please note that the date you file your claim is very important in order for you to receive the maximum maternity benefits you are entitled to. If you are unsure about your most advantageous maternity period to receive maximum benefits, please contact us. If the actual date of birth is different from the expected date of birth, it is very important that you provide this date as soon as possible after the birth of your child. Please contact us at [SPAN class=txtcolor][SPAN class=txtcolor]1 800 206-7218[/SPAN][/SPAN] from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and press "0" to speak to a representative. You can also write us or go in person to your [A href="http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/menu.shtml#100"]Service Canada Centre[/A]. This way we will be able to determine the most advantageous maternity period, in order to receive the maximum maternity benefits you are entitled to.
If your baby is hospitalized, then the 17 week limit can be extended for every week your child is in the hospital up to 52 weeks — following the week of the child's birth. You will still receive benefits for a maximum of 15 weeks, but payments can be delayed until your child comes home. However, if you received maternity benefits prior to the birth and wanted to receive the remaining benefits when your child comes home, call our telephone information service at [SPAN class=txtcolor]1 800 206-7218 [/SPAN] from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and press "0" to speak to a representative. You can also write us or go in person to your [A href="http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/gateways/where_you_live/menu.shtml#100"]Service Canada Centre[/A] to have the necessary adjustment done to your claim.
The weekly EI payment and the number of weeks to be paid remain the same even if you give birth to more than one child at the same time.
At the same time you present a claim for maternity benefits, yourself or/and partner can ask for parental benefits.
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[H2][SPAN class=primarycolor][A id=Termination name=Termination][/A]Termination of a pregnancy[/SPAN][/H2] When a pregnancy terminates within the first 19 weeks of pregnancy, it is considered [A href="http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/ei/legislation/ei_regs_part1_26.shtml#40"]an illness under EI[/A]. If that is the case, [A href="http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/special.shtml&hs=tyt#Sickness3"]sickness benefits[/A] may be paid as long as the qualifying conditions for sickness benefits are met.
On the other hand, if the pregnancy terminates in the 20th week or later, the claim for benefits can be considered for maternity benefits if the qualifying conditions for [A href="http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/special.shtml&hs=tyt#Maternity3"]maternity benefits[/A] are met.
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[H2][SPAN class=primarycolor][A id=Parental3 name=Parental3]Parental[/A] benefits[/SPAN][/H2] Parental benefits are payable either to the biological or adoptive parents while they are caring for a new-born or an adopted child, up to a maximum of 35 weeks. To receive parental benefits you are required to have worked for 600 hours in [A href="http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/special.shtml&hs=tyt#Qualifying"]the last 52 weeks or since your last claim[/A]. You must sign a statement declaring the newborn's date of birth, or, when there is an adoption, the child's date of placement for the purpose of the adoption, and the name and address of the adoption authority.
Parental benefits can be claimed by one parent or shared between the two partners but will not exceed a combined maximum of 35 weeks. Claimants making application for parental benefits must provide the name and Social Insurance Number (SIN) of the other parent for cross-reference purposes.
Parental benefits for biological parents and their partners are payable from the child's birth date, and for adoptive parents and their partners from the date the child is placed with you. Parental benefits are only available within the 52 weeks following the child's birth, or for adoptive parents, within the 52 weeks from the date the child is placed with you, [A href="http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr=en/ei/types/special.shtml&hs=tyt#child"]unless your child is hospitalized[/A].
The weekly EI payment and the number of weeks to be paid remain the same even if you give birth to more than one child or if you adopt at the same time.
When determining how you and your partner want to take advantage of your parental leave several choices can be made, here are some examples:
