EI benefits for Parents of Critically Ill Children - How much could you receive

3. How much could you receive

We cannot tell you exactly how much you will receive before we process your application. For most people, the basic rate for calculating EI benefits is 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to a maximum amount. As of January 1, 2016, the maximum yearly insurable earnings amount is $50,800. This means that you can receive a maximum amount of $537 per week.

Payments will start

If you are eligible for benefits, your first payment will be issued approximately 28 days from the date you applied for benefits. To check the status of your claim, sign up for My Service Canada Account.

The normal two-week waiting period for EI benefits applies to the PCIC benefit. However, when the benefits are shared between parents, only one parent will have to serve the waiting period if benefits are requested for the same child.

Receipt of benefits

If you are eligible to receive the PCIC benefit, you may receive up to 35 weeks of benefits during a 52-week window. The payments for eligible weeks can be taken in consecutive weeks or divided into periods within the 52-week window.

The number of weeks you are entitled to receive is based on the medical certificate. If your child requires care or support after the period identified on the medical certificate and less than 35 weeks have been paid for the care or support of your child, it is possible to receive additional weeks of PCIC benefits.

If the initial period set out on the medical certificate was underestimated, the specialist medical doctor can issue a second medical certificate to extend the length of time for which your child requires your care or support, up to a total of 35 weeks. As long as there is room on your claim, you will not have to re-qualify (unless your claim has been paid up or has reached its last renewal week), other than to obtain the additional medical certificate.

Note: Sharing the PCIC

The PCIC benefit can be shared between parents, either at the same time or separately, to a combined maximum of 35 weeks during the 52-week window.

Payments will stop

Your payments will stop when the first of any of the following occur:

• the maximum of 35 weeks of the PCIC benefits during the 52-week window has been paid to one parent or shared between both parents, for the critically ill or injured child;
• the 52-week window has expired;
• the critically ill child no longer requires the care or support of a parent or dies; or

• you have received the maximum benefits payable on your claim that combines the PCIC benefit with other types of EI benefits.