2026 rules

Benefits calculator for Canada

How much you get if you lose your job, have a baby, fall ill or raise children, with the 2026 rules that apply in Canada.

Quick answerIn Canada, with a monthly gross salary of 5,500 CAD and 10 years of work: unemployment benefit 698.08 CAD per week, duration 36 weeks (8 months), maternity or parental pay 698.08 CAD per week, duration 50 weeks (12 months), sick pay for 30 days 2,294 CAD in total, and child benefit for two children up to 1,147 CAD per month.

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Estimate with the 2026 rules. The official amount is decided by the institution that pays it.

In Canada Employment Insurance (EI) pays regular, maternity, parental and sickness benefits through Service Canada, and the Canada Revenue Agency pays the Canada Child Benefit. Quebec has its own parental plan (QPIP).

Unemployment benefit in Canada

  • EI regular benefits pay 55% of your average insurable weekly earnings, up to 729 CAD a week in 2026, based on maximum insurable earnings of 68,900 CAD.
  • You need 420 to 700 insured hours, depending on the unemployment rate in your region. Benefits last 14 to 45 weeks.
  • There is one unpaid waiting week. Low income families with children can get a family supplement of up to 80%.
Unemployment: Calculator

Maternity and parental leave in Canada

  • EI maternity benefits pay 55% of earnings, up to 729 CAD a week, for 15 weeks.
  • Parents then choose standard parental benefits, 35 weeks at 55% (40 weeks if shared), or extended parental benefits, 61 weeks at 33% up to about 437 CAD a week (69 weeks if shared).
  • You need 600 insured hours. In Quebec the QPIP replaces EI maternity and parental benefits.
Maternity / parental: Calculator

Sick pay in Canada

  • EI sickness benefits pay 55% of earnings, up to 729 CAD a week, for up to 26 weeks, after one waiting week. You need 600 insured hours.
  • Paid sick days from the employer are set by each province. Federally regulated employers must give 10 paid sick days.
  • Some employers have short-term disability plans that pay more.
Sick pay: Calculator

Child benefit in Canada

  • The Canada Child Benefit from July 2026 to June 2027 is up to 8,157 CAD a year per child under 6 and 6,883 CAD per child aged 6 to 17.
  • It is reduced when adjusted family net income is above 38,237 CAD: by 7% of the income above that for one child, 13.5% for two, 19% for three and 23% for four or more.
  • Above 82,847 CAD the reduction rate falls to 3.2% to 9.5%. It is paid monthly and is not taxable.
Child benefit: Calculator

Before you apply: five things people often miss

1

Apply on time

Most benefits have a deadline, often 30 days after the job ends or after the birth. Applying late can mean losing months of money that you cannot claim back.

2

Quitting is not the same as being dismissed

In most countries you get no unemployment benefit, or get it later, if you resign or agree to leave. Before you sign a termination agreement, check what it means for your benefit.

3

Your insurance record decides everything

Duration and amount depend on how many months you paid contributions and on what salary. Check that your employer reported you correctly before you apply.

4

Gross, net and taxes

Some benefits are paid gross and are taxed, others are tax free. The calculator shows the amount the rules describe. The money you see in your account can be lower.

5

Combine benefits the smart way

Sick leave, maternity leave and unemployment usually cannot be paid for the same days. The order in which you claim them can change how much you receive in total.

Examples by salary

Ten years of work, age 35, first child, 30 days of sick leave, 2026 rules.

Monthly salaryUnemploymentMaternity or parentalSick pay, 30 days
3,300 CAD418.85 CAD per week418.85 CAD per week1,376 CAD
5,500 CAD698.08 CAD per week698.08 CAD per week2,294 CAD
8,800 CAD729 CAD per week729 CAD per week2,395 CAD

Frequently asked questions

Do I get unemployment benefit if I quit my job in Canada?

If you quit without just cause, you are usually not entitled to EI regular benefits. Just cause includes harassment, unsafe conditions or following a spouse to another place.

Where do I apply in Canada?

Apply for EI online at Service Canada as soon as you stop working, with your Record of Employment. Canada Child Benefit: through the birth registration or My Account at the CRA.

Is this an official decision?

No. MyBenefitKit is an informational calculator. The institution that pays the benefit decides the exact amount from your full insurance record. Use the result to plan and to check the decision you receive.

Sources and disclaimer

This page is informational. The rules and amounts are based on laws and official publications valid in October 2026 and simplified for the calculator. Individual cases, collective agreements and regional rules can change the result.

Benefit calculators for other countries