CANADA – The duration of the Employment Insurance (EI) compassionate care benefit has increased, providing additional financial security to Canadian workers and their families in times of need.
Changes were implemented on January 3, 2016, allowing claimants who are temporarily away from work to take care of a family member with a serious medical condition with a significant risk of death to benefit from an increase in the maximum number of weeks for which Employment Insurance (EI) compassionate care benefits may be paid, from 6 to 26 weeks.
“I am glad to announce the coming into force of an increase in the duration of the compassionate care benefit,” says MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. “Going forward, we have pledged to work toward giving Canadians more support by making this benefit more flexible, easier to access and more inclusive.”
Currently, up to six weeks of compassionate care benefits are provided for the care of a family member with a serious medical condition with a significant risk of death within 26 weeks. The changes mean an increase in the maximum number of weeks of benefit entitlement for compassionate care benefits up to 26 weeks. Compassionate care benefits may be taken in the 52-week period (up from a 26-week period) that begins when the medical certificate is issued or when the medical doctor certifies the family member’s condition.
This measure will not be available retroactively; however, there will be transitional provisions. For example, if a claimant is in receipt of compassionate care benefits at the time of coming into force, then that claimant could benefit from the new provisions.
This also means that if other EI-eligible individuals wish to share benefits with an existing claimant, but had not yet submitted a claim themselves, they may also benefit from the new provisions.
Any additional weeks of benefits can only be paid for weeks that begin on or after the measure comes into effect.
Corresponding changes to the Canada Labour Code will come into force at the same time to ensure that the jobs of employees in federally regulated enterprises remain protected while they avail themselves of compassionate care benefits under the EI program.
Quick Facts
- Up to an estimated 6,900 claimants per year could benefit from the enhanced measure that will take effect in January 2016.
- In 2013–14, program costs for the current compassionate care benefit amounted to $12 million. An additional $37 million is being added annually to extend the duration of the compassionate care benefit over and above the current program costs.
– To learn more about compassionate care benefits, please visit: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/compassionate_care.shtml
