Maximum weekly EI benefit (2026)
Family Caregiver Benefit duration
EI Sickness Benefit duration
Minimum insured hours required
Figures above: Service Canada, 2026 EI rates · Employment Insurance Act, s. 23.1 · Service Canada, 2026 · EI eligibility requirements, 2025
Guide values reviewed . Program amounts and eligibility can change; confirm them with the administering agency.
Government of Canada EI caregiving benefit amounts2026 maximum weekly benefit checked July 10, 2026.
The EI Family Caregiver Benefit for Children (FCBC) provides up to 35 weeks of benefits at 55% of insurable earnings (maximum $729 per week in 2026). To qualify, a medical practitioner must certify that the child's life is at risk or that the child's health has changed significantly. This benefit can be shared between eligible family members.
For autism families, this benefit most commonly applies during acute medical events — for example, a child hospitalized for epilepsy (a common autism comorbidity), a mental health crisis requiring inpatient treatment, or recovery from surgery. The autism diagnosis itself does not qualify, but the medical complications that frequently co-occur with autism may.
Ontario parents must have accumulated at least 600 insured hours in the 52 weeks before the claim. Self-employed individuals who have opted into the EI program are also eligible.
Parents who experience their own health issues related to caregiving stress — including burnout, depression, or anxiety — may qualify for EI Sickness Benefits. These provide up to 26 weeks of income replacement at 55% of earnings.
Caregiving stress can affect a parent's health. When a physician certifies that a parent cannot work because of illness, EI Sickness Benefits may bridge part of the income gap.
Apply online through Service Canada within four weeks of your last day of work. You will need your Record of Employment (ROE), a medical certificate, and the child's health information. Processing typically takes 28 days from the date of application.
If your employer offers a short-term disability plan or top-up benefits, ask how those payments interact with EI. If you are unionized, check your collective agreement or ask your union representative.
Evidence
Service Canada
Employment Insurance Family Caregiver Benefits, 2025 program guide
Not for the autism diagnosis alone. EI Family Caregiver Benefits require a medical certification that the child's life is at risk or health has significantly changed. However, co-occurring conditions like epilepsy episodes or acute mental health crises may qualify. EI Sickness Benefits are available if your own health is affected by caregiving demands.
Eligible caregivers can share the available weeks at the same time or one after another. Each caregiver must apply separately. The combined weeks cannot exceed the program maximum.
No. EI benefits are federal income replacement and do not affect provincial autism program eligibility. OAP funding is based on the child's needs assessment, not family income.
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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.
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
As of March 4, 2026, 89,799 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,633 (23%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents approximately 290% growth in registrations since 2019, with 69,166 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: OAC FOI Mar 2026, FAO Report 2024 · Verify Link
Written by Spencer Carroll
Founder & Autism Advocate