EI parental leave calculator
Compare standard and extended EI parental benefits with 2026 rates, and see how splitting the weeks between two parents changes your time at home and your income. For families outside Quebec.
| Maternity, parent 1 · 15 weeks at $729/wk | $10,931 |
| Standard parental, parent 1 · 35 weeks at $729/wk | $25,506 |
| Standard parental, parent 2 · 5 weeks at $729/wk | $3,644 |
| Total before tax | $40,081 |
EI only counts earnings up to $68,900 a year in 2026, so weekly benefits top out at $729 (standard) or $437 (extended).
EI benefits are taxable. A one-week unpaid waiting period may apply at the start of the claim. Parents can take their weeks at the same time or one after the other.
Standard vs extended for your family
| Standard | Extended | |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks of paid leave | 55 | 84 |
| Parent 1 weekly (parental) | $729 | $437 |
| Parent 2 weekly | $729 | $437 |
| Total EI | $40,081 | $41,084 |
Both options use each parent's full weeks, with parent 2 taking the shared bonus weeks. Extended pays about the same total, spread over more weeks at a lower rate.
Common questions
How much does EI pay during parental leave in 2026?
Standard parental benefits pay 55% of your average weekly earnings, up to $729 a week, for up to 40 weeks shared between parents (one parent can take at most 35). Extended parental benefits pay 33%, up to $437 a week, for up to 69 weeks shared (at most 61 for one parent). Birth parents can also get up to 15 weeks of maternity benefits at 55%. EI counts earnings up to $68,900 a year in 2026. These rules apply outside Quebec, which has its own plan (QPIP).
Should we choose standard or extended parental leave?
Both pay about the same total amount of EI. Extended spreads it over more weeks at a lower weekly rate, so it suits families who want more time at home and can manage on less each week. Standard pays more per week over a shorter leave. The choice can't be changed once benefits start, so compare both in the planner first.