Employment Insurance Caregiver Benefits for Autism Families
Direct answer
EI offers a Family Caregiver Benefit for Children: up to 35 weeks at 55% of insured earnings (maximum $729 a week in 2026) for parents of a critically ill or injured child under 18. Autism alone may not qualify. A medical doctor or nurse practitioner must certify that the child’s life is at risk after a significant change in health.
Key facts
- Benefit Duration
- Up to 35 weeks
- Benefit Rate
- 55% of earnings
- Weekly Maximum
- $729/week (2026)
- Requires
- Medical certificate
What this means for your family
Talk to your child's doctor or nurse practitioner before you apply, since EI needs their certificate that your child is critically ill or injured, and an autism diagnosis alone does not meet that test. Ask the certifier to describe the new, sudden change in your child's health and why their life is at risk, because a long-term condition alone does not qualify. Keep hospital discharge summaries, specialist letters, and dated notes about the specific incident that required your care. Apply through Service Canada as soon as you stop working or your earnings drop, because waiting can cost you benefits. You can send the medical certificate after you apply. If your claim is refused, ask Service Canada for the reasons in writing. Keep copies of what you submit, the date you applied, and the name of anyone you speak with at Service Canada.
The numbers behind this answer
Every answer on this site sits on the same verified counts. These are the current figures.
Ontario's figures, as of May 2026 (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026).
Registered
91,974Children registered
Total registered in the Ontario Autism Program
Funded
20,711Have active funding
22.5% of registered children
Without active agreement
71,263Without an active funding agreement
An administrative status; it does not confirm current service delivery.
Show as table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Children registered | 91,974 |
| Have active funding | 20,711 |
| Without an active funding agreement | 71,263 |
About This Article
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When EI Caregiver Benefits Apply
- The EI Family Caregiver Benefit for Children is available when a child under 18 has a critical illness or injury requiring the care and support of a parent. A medical doctor or nurse practitioner must certify that the child's health has changed significantly, that their life is at risk, and that they need care or support from at least one caregiver.
- Autism alone typically does not meet the "critical illness" threshold. A long-term condition such as epilepsy qualifies only if a new and acute life-threatening event significantly changes the health of the child. Discuss with your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner.
Frequently asked questions
Possibly. EI Family Caregiver Benefits require a medical doctor or nurse practitioner to certify that your child is critically ill or injured. Autism alone does not qualify. A long-term condition counts only if a new and acute life-threatening event significantly changes the health of your child.
EI caregiver benefit pays 55% of your average insurable earnings, up to a maximum of $729 a week in 2026. Benefits can last up to 35 weeks for children under 18.
Apply online through Service Canada (canada.ca). You can upload, mail or drop off your documents at a Service Canada location. You will need a medical certificate from a medical doctor or nurse practitioner confirming the critical illness or injury. Apply as soon as you stop working, or you may lose benefits.
Sources
EI caregiving benefits, including the Family Caregiver Benefit for Children (2026)
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Next steps
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