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. A maximum of 26 weeks of compassionate care benefits may be paid to eligible people.
What is “care or support”?
- providing psychological or emotional support; or
- arranging for care by a third party; or
- directly providing or participating in the care.
Who is considered a family member?
You can receive compassionate care benefits for a variety of family members-both yours and those of your spouse or common-law partner. Please visit www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/ei-compassionate.html for a full listing and more information.