Question for Canadian Moms

kristah2 · August 2016

hi!
Are any of you super familiar with maternity/parental leave EI benefits? The website is a bit confusing and I've been trying to get through on the phone for 3 days now with no luck.
I am wondering the hours required (is it 600 maternity + 600 parental for 1200 hours total needed to take your full 52 weeks?
Also any of you familiar with short term disability though work? My work is providing short term disability from my surgery a couple of weeks ago. They pay me 100% or my wages. My hours are still calculated as if I am there and I still pay into taxes. On my ROE it will include total hours. It will also have a spot specificity how many hours were paid but sick leave. Does anyone know if these hours will still count for me or will they not count?

Please help!

arcticseal-2 · August 2016

I think it's 600 to take the weeks. If it helps at all, maternity benefits are the same as EI so just looking up plain EI may help. Ex. you may not have the hours at your current job but I would guess that you probably have the hours necessary as this looks like your first baby. I would guess since you are still paying into EI those hours would count but I'm not sure.

It sounds like your employer is decent, so you may have mat leave top up for some of the time as well. I'd look into that too.

Anyway, that probably wasn't much help but I am in Canada....

kristah2 · August 2016

Thanks! I know EI is slightly different and yes it's my first baby but I was off from May-October on EI last year due to my husbands injury and needing 24 hour care so I couldn't work. Just want to make sure I have the hours needed now to take leave without needing to go back if against my doctors recommendations.
I wish someone would answer the phone there!

Obun · August 2016

I'm pretty sure it's 600, not completely sure though. If there's a Service Canada office in your area then I'd recommend just going in and asking in person. I found going in and speaking to someone was far more effective than trying to figure it out over the phone for previous issues. Good luck

comealongponds · August 2016

I used EI illness when I had to take time off for an SCH this pregnancy. You need 600 hours worked after coming back from using EI to qualify for maternity/parental leave. I'd call ServiceCanada or go into a branch to clarify how using STD will affect things (but I wouldn't think it would affect EI since its through your employer and not the government).

kristah2 · August 2016

@comealongponds thanks! Is it 600 for both maternity and then another 600 for parental or just 600 to be able to take the full 52 weeks?

comealongponds · August 2016

600 hours for the full leave

mrsjlang · August 2016

I have a friend who had a problem with her benefits because of Irish twins. In her situation, she got the 15 weeks medical, and then went back to work. Her hubby took some weeks of parental leave while she accumulated enough hours to go back on parental leave until the end. She also worked right up until she went into labour (a week late if I'm not mistaken). I'm not sure what she had to do or how all the details worked out though.

Definitely go to a SC branch and ask the questions in person. Ask them to print you whatever they refer you to on the computer. And take all your ID and your SIN as they should open your file to give you specific details for your situation. Good luck!

kristah2 · August 2016

Thanks for all your help ladies!!

bakerstreetboys · August 2016

Lurking from D'16
It takes them forever to process applications too, so make sure to apply as early as possible as it can affect when your top up starts. I work for the Feds, and my top up won't start until I've proven that I'm eligible for EI and that payment has started.
I'd definitely go into a SC Centre if you can. I work for ESDC(HRSDC) and info given over the phone isn't always correct!

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