How to apply for EI maternity and parental benefits, step by step

Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026

In short

Apply online for EI maternity and parental benefits as soon as you stop working, and no later than 4 weeks after your last day, or you may lose benefits. Have your SIN, banking details and employment history ready; your employer sends your Record of Employment. A 4-digit access code arrives by mail, and the first payment comes about 28 days after you apply.

Before you apply: a 5-minute check

You have about 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks (check your pay stubs or the ROEs in My Service Canada Account)
You know your due date (or your baby's birth date)
You have chosen, with your partner, standard or extended parental benefits (use the EI estimator on Canada.ca)
You have given your employer written notice of your leave (see maternity leave in Canada)

If you live in Québec, you do not apply to EI for these benefits: see Québec's QPIP.

What to have ready

Canada.ca lists your SIN, your banking information and your Record of Employment; the application also asks about your work history and dates, so have these ready:

Your Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Your banking information for direct deposit: financial institution, branch (transit) number and account number.
The names, addresses and dates of your employers over the last 52 weeks, and your reason for stopping work.
Your due date or the date of birth.
Your Record of Employment (ROE): most employers send it electronically to Service Canada. If yours issues paper ROEs, ask for your copies.

The steps, in order

Stop work, or reduce your hours by more than 40%. Maternity benefits can start as early as 12 weeks before your due date.
Apply online the same week. Canada.ca says to apply as soon as possible after you stop working. Applying more than 4 weeks after your last day may cost you benefits. You do not need to wait for your ROE.
Choose maternity and parental in the same application if you are the birth parent, and indicate standard or extended for the parental part.
Keep your confirmation number.
Wait for your benefit statement by mail. It contains a 4-digit access code. You need it and your SIN to follow your claim. Canada.ca notes that receiving it does not mean a decision has been made.
Create My Service Canada Account (MSCA). There you can see the ROEs issued by past and recent employers, check your application status and messages, and keep your banking information, address and phone number current.
Remember the waiting week. Canada.ca states that the first week of your claim is unpaid.
First payment: about 28 days after you apply, if you are eligible and your file is complete.

While you receive benefits

Tell Service Canada if you start working or earn money. Earnings can change your payments.
Tell Service Canada the real birth date if your baby arrives earlier or later than planned.
Your partner applies separately for their parental weeks, once the baby is born, with the same standard or extended choice.

If something goes wrong

No access code after a few weeks? Contact Service Canada.
Your ROE is missing in MSCA? Ask your employer to issue it; you can still apply.
Short of 600 hours? Call Service Canada and explain your situation before giving up.
General EI information by phone: Ontario's employment standards guide refers to Service Canada's automated telephone information service at 1-800-206-7218.

Stay safe. Apply only on Canada.ca, and never give your SIN or access code to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Checklist to print

Notice given to employer (date: ______)
Last day of work (date: ______)
Application submitted (date and confirmation number: ______)
ROE issued by employer
Benefit statement and access code received
My Service Canada Account created
First payment received (date: ______)
Partner's parental application submitted

Questions parents ask

When should I apply for EI maternity leave?

As soon as possible after you stop working. Canada.ca warns that applying more than 4 weeks after your last day of work may cause you to lose benefits.

Do I need my Record of Employment before I apply?

No. Apply without waiting. Canada.ca states that electronic ROEs are sent directly to Service Canada by employers; if your employer uses paper ROEs, send your copies after you apply.

How do I check my EI maternity claim?

Use My Service Canada Account to see your application status, messages and ROEs, and to keep your banking information, address and phone number up to date. You also need the 4-digit access code from your benefit statement.

Do I apply separately for parental benefits?

You can request maternity and parental benefits in the same application. A partner who takes parental weeks applies separately with their own application.

Sources

Government of Canada — EI maternity and parental benefits, apply checked October 13, 2026
Government of Canada — EI maternity and parental benefits, after you apply checked October 13, 2026
Government of Canada — EI maternity and parental benefits, eligibility checked October 13, 2026
Ontario — Your guide to the Employment Standards Act (Service Canada information line) checked October 13, 2026

Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.