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Information for Health Care Professionals: EI Compassionate Care
- General application information for the EI Compassionate Care program
Employment Insurance (EI) Compassionate Care Benefits
Employment Insurance provides compassionate care benefits to persons who must be away from work temporarily to provide care or support to a family member who is gravely ill and at risk of dying within 26 weeks.
- Who is eligible?
- How is "gravely ill" defined by Employment Insurance?
- Application process
- Who is authorized to fill out the Medical Certificate for Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits?
- Additional information on Employment Insurance compassionate care benefits
Who is eligible?
To qualify for compassionate care benefits, a person must:
- show that their regular weekly earnings from work have been interrupted or decreased by more than 40%;
- have accumulated 600 insured hours in the last year (52 weeks) or since the start of their last EI claim;
- apply by filling out an application form on-line; and
- submit a medical certificate for EI compassionate care.
Individuals who are considered to be like family (e.g., a close friend or neighbour) can also be eligible to receive compassionate care benefits. In these cases, a Compassionate Care Benefits Attestation form signed by the gravely ill person or their representative must be submitted together with the applicant’s claim to Service Canada.
More information on Family Members
How is "gravely ill" defined by Employment Insurance?
A family member is considered gravely ill if they:
- have a serious medical condition with significant risk of death within 26 weeks; and
- require the care or support of one or more family members within this 26 week period.
More information on Compassionate Care Benefits
Application process
To receive EI compassionate care benefits, the individual must submit an EI application on-line and provide proof that the ill family member needs care or support and is at risk of dying within 26 weeks. As proof, two forms, must be submitted.
- The Authorization to Release a Medical Certificate is completed and signed by the gravely ill person or their legal representative, and
- The Medical Certificate for Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits is completed and signed by either the physician or an authorized health practitioner treating the gravely ill person to confirm their significant risk of death within the 26 weeks.
For further information on the application process contact Service Canada
To apply for Employment Insurance:
- On-line application form
- Visit your local Service Canada Centre (Where is my closest Service Canada Centre?)
Who is authorized to fill out the Medical Certificate for Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits?
A physician or authorized health practitioner must complete the medical certificate, attesting that their patient is gravely ill and at significant risk of dying. In exceptional circumstances, such as when applicants live in remote areas, a nurse or nurse practitioner may complete the certificate.
Additional information on Employment Insurance compassionate care benefits
For further information, contact Service Canada.