Adult Financial Literacy Guide | Page 10

Parental Benefits Employment Insurance (EI) Maternity and Parental Benefits TIP! Apply as soon as you stop working. It will be at least 4-6 weeks until you get your first cheque. Here is some general information on Maternity and Parental Benefits:  Most new parents can receive Employment Insurance (EI).  Adoptive parents are only eligible to receive EI parental benefits.  EI pays up to 55% of your income, up to a max.  You could be eligible for up to 35 weeks of benefits.  Low-income families may also be eligible to receive the Employment Insurance Family Supplement from EI.  If you are self-employed, you can only access these benefits if you have paid into EI. There are eligibility requirements for the self-employed. For more info check out: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/sew/index.shtml Photo via VisualHunt.com The application for EI is online: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/application/employmentinsurance.shtml For more information contact Service Canada: CALL 1 800-206-7218, dial 0 to speak to someone. TTY: 1-800-529-3742 Available Monday to Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm. http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/types/maternity_parental.shtml#how Take Note! If you apply online, it can take up to 60 minutes to complete the application! Make sure you have all of the information that you need before you start. Need assistance filling out the forms? Contact the Community Connections Social Justice Advocate at 250-837-2920 ext. 38 10