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| The pregnancy benefit rate is the same as the regular benefit rate. All earnings received from other sources reduce benefits. However, no proof of availability is necessary. Money received under an employer’s sickness or maternity plan, other than a SUB plan, is regarded as earnings, and will be deducted. For a comprehensive list of what is and is not, regarded as earnings, see s 35 of the ''EI Regulations''. See also [[Quantifying Employment Insurance Benefits (8:V)#C. Effect of Earnings | Section V.C: Effect of Earnings]], above. | | The pregnancy benefit rate is the same as the regular benefit rate. All earnings received from other sources reduce benefits. However, no proof of availability is necessary. Money received under an employer’s sickness or maternity plan, other than a SUB plan, is regarded as earnings, and will be deducted. For a comprehensive list of what is and is not, regarded as earnings, see s 35 of the ''EI Regulations''. See also [[Quantifying Employment Insurance Benefits (8:V)#C. Effect of Earnings | Section V.C: Effect of Earnings]], above. |
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| === 4. When to File a Claim for Pregnancy Benefits ===
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| Since pregnancy benefits are not payable earlier than eight weeks before the expected date of delivery, a woman who wishes to receive benefits from this early date should, due to the waiting period, go on leave, or terminate her employment (if that is her choice) and make her claim 10 weeks before the expected date of delivery. The two-week waiting period would then be served, and benefits would be payable for 15 consecutive weeks commencing on the eighth week before the expected week of delivery.
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| Alternatively, a woman may wish to work up until the week of birth, and then make her claim. The two-week waiting period would then be served and benefits would be payable for 15 consecutive weeks beginning with the third week after the date of birth. If a pregnant worker becomes too ill to work prior to the birth, she should make a “sickness” claim, until she becomes eligible for pregnancy benefits.
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| '''NOTE:''' Whenever a client wishes to make her claim, she should know that pregnancy benefits are payable for a maximum of 15 consecutive weeks, and the latest week during which pregnancy benefits are payable is the 17th week after the week in which her delivery occurs (s 22(2)(b)(ii)). Thus, if the claim is made later than the week in which delivery occurs, the claimant may not receive the full 15 weeks benefits to which she would otherwise be entitled.
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| === 5. Availability of Regular Benefits on Termination of Maternity Benefits ===
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| A maternity pregnancy claimant may be entitled to regular benefits when her maternity benefits terminate, but she must be “capable of and available for work and unable to find suitable employment” in the same way as any other regular claimant. For example, she must prove that she has set up childcare arrangements so that she will be able to work immediately if a job is offered to her.
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| The claimant would also need to show that she is unable to return to her previous job because of a lack of positions, or that her previous job was unsuitable for her in her current conditions (i.e. a nursing mother being exposed to toxic fumes or other similar health hazards).
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| == G. Parental Benefits == | | == G. Parental Benefits == |
