Extension of Eligibility Period for Employment Insurance Parental Benefits for Military Families
The Government of Canada has amended the Employment Insurance Act to provide for an extension of the eligibility period for Canadian Forces members who cannot collect all their parental benefits during the regular eligibility period because of an imperative military requirement that either defers or interrupts their parental leave.
Eligibility information
To be eligible, the Canadian Forces member:
- must have requested their parental leave from the Department of National Defence but due to an imperative military requirement, the leave had to be deferred until the military obligation has ended; or,
- after starting their parental leave, has been recalled by the Department of National Defence due to an imperative military requirement.
Application Information
If your parental leave has been deferred or interrupted because of an imperative military requirement, the eligibility period during which Employment Insurance (EI) parental benefit can be paid may be extended by one week for each week that you are unable to collect EI parental benefits. The extension is subject to a maximum eligibility period of 104 weeks.
Dates and Deadlines
This measure became effective July 4, 2010, the day the Fairness for Military Families (Employment Insurance) Act came into force (became law).
Additional Information
- News release – April 5, 2010 - Government of Canada supports military families: Improving access to EI parental benefits is the fair and right thing to do
- News release - June 29, 2010 - Government of Canada supports military families