Employment Insurance provides Family Caregiver Benefit for Children, offering up to 35 weeks of benefits at 55% of insured earnings (maximum $668/week in 2025) for parents caring for a critically ill or injured child under 18. While autism itself may not qualify, autistic children experiencing medical crises, co-occurring conditions requiring intensive care, or post-surgical recovery may be eligible with physician certification.
Start with the short answer, then reveal deeper context where helpful.
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. The physician must certify that the child's life is at risk or that the condition requires constant parental care.
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. The physician must certify that the child's life is at risk or that the condition requires constant parental care.
Autism alone typically does not meet the "critical illness" threshold. However, co-occurring conditions common in autism — epilepsy, severe feeding disorders requiring tube feeding, or acute mental health crises — may qualify. Discuss with your child's physician.
Service Canada
EI Family Caregiver Benefit for Children (2025)
Yes, the federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC) and provincial OAP funding are separate programs. Learn how to stack both for maximum family support.
Children age out of OAP at 18 with no automatic transfer to adult services. Learn about the transition gap, Passport, ODSP, and planning ahead.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
Verified Facts
88,175, children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
US$2.4M, Lifetime support costs for autism with co-occurring intellectual disability can reach US$2.4 million per person (Buescher et al.)
1 in 50, According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
23.4%, Only 20,666 children have active funding agreements () — less than one in four
WHO recommends accessible, community-based early interventions for children with autism — timely evidence-based psychosocial interventions improve communication and social engagement