Maternity Leave in Canada?

Question

Earlier in my pregnancy (about July) I was extremely tired and overwhelmed with the amount of hours that I was working. I talked to my boss and we agreed that I would work as a casual for the rest of the summer.

Te way that maternity leave works is that you have to have worked for 6 months before you are eligible for maternity leave and I have worked there for a year. They pay you 60% of the money you made on average in the last six months.

My question is, should I even file for maternity leave? I don't plan on going back to work when my year is up, I am going back to school instead. Will my payments be worth it since I have hardly worked the whole summer, maybe a whole two weeks.

I make $12.00/hour.

Answer 1

You get 55% of your wage and it is absolutely worth it. It is money you have earned and deserve while you are on mat leave. It is averaged over the last 12 months so even though you are casual you still get a year of mat leave before having to return to work. However, if you want to work after the birth of your child before your year of mat leave is up then you will have to file any extra earnings to EI. I have 3 months left in my year off and I am glad I took the full year. So enjoy the mat leave and your baby.  

Answer 2

You should still apply, only then will you know how much you get, and even a little is better than nothing. Are you due right away, can you work any more hours before the baby comes?

Benefits are 55% on the hours worked in the last 6 months.

Answer 3

Yes, you should still file - what you qualify for depends upon the hours you have worked in the past year. In case (hope not) something is wrong once the baby is born, there are extra payments made for a longer time if the child is hospitalized longer.

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/ei/types/speci...

It's worth it to see if there is at least something you can get, after all you have paid into the insurance scheme.