Hi desis, I would like to know some more information how does EI works on maternity leave, as i would go on maternity leave from April 7th onwards, my company will stop my to pay me from that time. well i heard from april 7th onwards upto 6 weeks EI wont pay me anything as it is called a waiting time period. Is that true? I had already filed the paper online on servicescanada website

Can anyone clarify me how EI on maternity leave works. Thanks a lot for the replies

Hi New_york,
Congratulations and all the best for your pregnancy!!!
EI waiting time is 2 weeks..you should get your first EI money by 22nd April.That is how i got it.

thanks hello G for ur prompt reply - So i will not lose the first few weeks pay, they will pay me from the time my child is born, am i right? and one more question - how many percentage do you get on maternity EI, is it 55% or 65% - as my company will top off the first six weeks difference.

The following info from services canada may be helpful:


the amount of your weekly benefit payment depends on your total earnings before deductions including tips and commissions, in the last 26 weeks, and is calculated in the following manner:

We look at the total earnings you have been paid in the last 26 weeks ending with your last day of work.

We take into consideration the number of weeks in which you have worked in the last 26 weeks.

We determine the unemployment rate in your region and the minimum divisor that applies at that unemployment rate.

We determine your average weekly insured earnings, by dividing your total earnings in the last 26 weeks by the greater of:

a) the number of weeks you have worked in the last 26 weeks; or
b) the minimum divisor number.
Important: The divisor cannot be less than 14 or greater than 26.

We then multiply the result by 55% to obtain your weekly benefit. The maximum amount is $435 per week. (See examples A, B and C).



Divisor Unemployment rate in your region Minimum divisor
0% to 6%
22

6.1% to 7%
21

7.1% to 8%
20

8.1% to 9%
19

9.1% to 10%
18

10.1% to 11%
17

11.1% to 12%
16

12.1% to 13%
15

13.1% and over
14


Example A

In the last 26 weeks you worked for 26 weeks and earned a total of $10,400. You live in an area where the unemployment rate is 13.1%; so the divisor is 14. To determine your average weekly earnings, we calculate $10,400 ÷ 26 = $400. We use the number of weeks worked as it is greater than the divisor.

To determine your weekly benefit rate, we calculate 55% of $400 = $220.


Example B

In the last 26 weeks you worked for 12 weeks and earned a total of $3,600. You live in an area where the unemployment rate is 13.1%; so the divisor is 14. To determine your average weekly earnings, we calculate $3,600 ÷ 14 = $257. We use the minimum divisor as it is greater than the number of weeks worked.

To determine your weekly benefit rate, we calculate 55% of $257 = $141.


Example C

In the last 26 weeks you worked for 17 weeks and earned a total of $5,100. You live in an area where the unemployment rate is 11.5%; so the divisor is 16. To determine your average weekly earnings, we calculate $5,100 ÷ 17 = $300. We use the number of weeks worked as it is greater than the divisor.

To determine your weekly benefit rate, we calculate 55% of $300 = $165.

thanks a lot hello g for the detailed infomation - you are great G