Difference between revisions of "Types of Employment Insurance Benefits (8:IV)"

Eligible parents who take leave from work to provide care or support to a child with a life-threatening illness or injury can receive up to 35 weeks of benefits. The benefits must be collected in the 52-week window beginning on the day a medical certificate is issued showing that the child is critically ill or, if the claim is made before the certificate is issued, from the date a specialist medical doctor certifies that the child is critically ill or injured. The child must be under the age of 18 at the time that the beginning of the benefit window; if the child turns 18 at any time during the benefit window besides the beginning, the claimant will remain eligible to claim PCIC benefits.  

These benefits are not available to parents of a child with a chronic illness or condition that is their normal state of health.  There must be a significant change from the child’s normal or baseline state of health at the time they are assessed by a specialist medical doctor.

PCIC benefits can be shared between both parents. Parents can claim for PCIC benefits at the same time or at different times as long as the sum of the weeks claimed does not exceed the 35 weeks.

'''NOTE:''' Currently, PCIC benefits can only be shared amongst parents. The 2017 Budget Plan announced on March 22, 2017 proposes to allow other family members to claim for PCIC benefits.