As a caregiver, you don’t have to be related to or live with the person you care for or support, but they must consider you to be like family.

Through Employment Insurance, caregiving benefits and leave, you could receive financial assistance of up to 55% of your earnings, to a maximum of $547 a week.

These benefits will help you take time away from work to provide care or support to a critically ill or injured person or someone needing end-of-life care.

You can receive benefits during the 52 weeks following the date the person is certified by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner to be critically ill or injured or in need of end-of-life care.

You can take the weeks of benefits within this timeframe either all at once or in separate periods.

“It’s important that the caregiver be aware they can take the weeks of benefits, within the 52 weeks timeframe, either all at once or in separate periods.” Manuel Fernandes, Former VP OHS MUHCEU

The weeks of benefits can be shared by eligible caregivers, either at the same time or one after another.

There are three types of caregiver benefits available:

1- Family caregiver benefit for children, with benefits for up to 35 weeks and applies to care or support for a critically ill or injured person under 18 years of age.

2- Family caregiver benefit for adults, with benefits for up to 15 weeks and applies to care or support for a critically ill or injured person 18 years or over.

3- Compassionate care benefits, with benefits for up to 26 weeks and applies to care or support for a person of any age who requires end-of-life care.

If you believe you qualify for benefits and want more information or to apply online go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/caregiving.html

Version française:  http://www.bloguedemanuel.com/2018/12/19/en-tant-que-proche-aidant-vous-pouvez-recevoir-une-aide-financiere-jusqua-55-de-votre-remuneration/