Québec's parental insurance plan (QPIP / RQAP), explained

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

In short

In Québec, the QPIP replaces EI for maternity, paternity and parental benefits. The basic plan pays 18 weeks of maternity at 70% of earnings, 5 weeks of paternity at 70% and 32 shareable weeks (7 at 70%, 25 at 55%); the special plan pays 15, 3 and 25 weeks at 75%. You need $2,000 of insurable earnings; the 2026 maximum is $103,000.

QPIP in one table

Type of benefit	Basic plan (long term)	Special plan (short term)
Maternity, or exclusive to the person who gave birth	18 weeks at 70%	15 weeks at 75%
Paternity, or exclusive to the parent who did not give birth	5 weeks at 70%	3 weeks at 75%
Shareable parental	32 weeks: 7 at 70%, then 25 at 55%	25 weeks at 75%
Bonus shareable weeks	4 at 55%, once each parent has received 8 shareable weeks	3 at 75%, once each parent has received 6 shareable weeks
Multiple births	5 more weeks to each parent at 70%	3 more weeks to each parent at 75%
Single parent (only parent on the act of birth)	5 more weeks at 70%	3 more weeks at 75%

Source: Québec.ca, as of October 2026.

Am I eligible?

Québec.ca lists four conditions for a pregnancy or birth:

At least $2,000 of insurable earnings in the qualifying period, regardless of hours worked.
You paid, or owe, QPIP or EI contributions in the qualifying period.
You are a resident of Québec on the start date of your benefits (self-employed: also on December 31 of the previous year).
You stopped working, or your usual weekly employment income dropped by at least 40% (self-employed: time spent on the business dropped by at least 40%).

The $2,000 threshold with no hours requirement makes QPIP accessible to many part-time, seasonal and recently hired workers who would not reach EI's 600 hours.

How much: the 2026 maximum

Québec.ca states that the maximum insurable earnings are $103,000 in 2026 ($98,000 in 2025). As rough arithmetic, $103,000 divided by 52 is about $1,981 a week, so 70% is about $1,387 and 75% about $1,486 a week at most. Use the official Benefit Calculation Simulator for your own figure.

Salaried workers: your benefit is usually based on the average of your insurable earnings over the last 26 weeks of the 52-week qualifying period.
Self-employed workers: usually 1/52 of your insurable earnings in the previous calendar year (line 27 of Schedule L of your Québec tax return). In the first year of your business, the qualifying period is the year your benefits begin.
Lower incomes: if your average weekly earnings are below a 40-hour week at Québec's general minimum wage, you could receive an increased benefit, applied automatically.

Basic or special: how to choose

The basic plan gives more weeks and lower rates; the special plan fewer weeks and higher rates.
Both parents must use the same plan. The first parent to apply chooses for both, even in shared custody, and the choice cannot be changed once received, except in exceptional circumstances.
Run both options in the simulator, then decide together before either of you applies.

When benefits can start and end

Maternity: no sooner than 16 weeks before the expected week of delivery, and no later than 20 weeks after the birth to finish, unless an exception applies.
Paternity and parental: from the week of the birth, ending no later than 78 weeks (18 months) after the birth.
A benefit week runs from Sunday to Saturday and cannot be split into days.
You can add, change or cancel weeks later in your online file.

How to apply, step by step

Choose your plan and start date (simulator).
Make sure your employer issues your Record of Employment.
Apply online in your QPIP file, or by phone with the Centre de service à la clientèle. Each parent files their own application.
You can submit no earlier than the Sunday of the week you want payments to begin. Up to six weeks before your filing date can be granted without justification.
A decision usually comes within five business days once your file is complete.
Report your return-to-work date and any income received while on benefits.

QPIP customer service: 1-888-610-7727.

Single parents and multiple births

If you are the only parent named on the act of birth, you receive 5 extra weeks (basic) or 3 (special), and you can also take all the shareable weeks. If a second parent is later added to the act of birth, tell the Centre de service à la clientèle.
For twins or more, each parent receives 5 extra weeks (basic) or 3 (special).

After the birth in Québec

File the declaration of birth with the Directeur de l'état civil within 30 days, with the attestation of birth from the hospital or birth centre. The Directeur de l'état civil then notifies specific Québec and federal departments of the birth. See register the birth, SIN and health card.

Questions parents ask

How much is maternity leave in Québec?

On the basic plan, 70% of your average weekly earnings for 18 weeks; on the special plan, 75% for 15 weeks. Earnings are counted up to $103,000 a year in 2026.

Can I choose a different plan from my partner?

No. Both parents must use the same plan. The first parent to apply chooses it for both, and it cannot be changed once the application is received, except in exceptional circumstances.

Are self-employed workers covered by QPIP?

Yes. Self-employed workers in Québec are covered if they meet the conditions, including $2,000 of insurable earnings; the benefit is based on 1/52 of the insurable earnings of the qualifying period, usually the previous calendar year.

How fast does QPIP decide?

Québec.ca states that a decision is usually rendered within five business days after all required information has been received.

Sources

Gouvernement du Québec — QPIP choice of plan and types of benefits checked October 13, 2026
Gouvernement du Québec — QPIP eligibility conditions for a pregnancy or birth checked October 13, 2026
Gouvernement du Québec — How is the QPIP benefit amount determined checked October 13, 2026
Gouvernement du Québec — Planning of QPIP benefit weeks checked October 13, 2026
Gouvernement du Québec — Apply for QPIP benefits 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.