Compassionate Care Benefits
The demands of caring for a gravely ill family member can jeopardize both your job and the financial security of your family. You are entitled to Compassionate Care Benefits provided by the Government of Canada.
Compassionate care benefits are Employment Insurance (EI) benefits paid to people who have to be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill and who has a significant risk of death within 26 weeks (six months). A maximum of 26 weeks of compassionate care benefits may be paid to eligible people. Apply as soon as you stop working. If you delay filing your claim by more than four weeks after your last day of work, you may lose benefits.
To apply for Compassionate Care Benefits, you can:
- Contact your Human Resources department for assistance
- You can apply at home, at any Service Canada Centre using one of
the many Internet kiosks available, or at a public Internet access
site, such as a public library. - Call 1-800-206-7218 (TTY: 1-800-529-3742) OR
- Use any computer with Internet access and visit the Service Canada website: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/benefits/compassionate.shtml
- The website takes you step by step through the application process.
- It could take up to one hour to complete the application online.
Medical Proof
When requesting compassionate care benefits, as soon as possible after you apply, you must provide medical proof showing that the ill family member needs care or support and is at risk of dying within 26 weeks.
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