Canada Caregiver Credit, caregiver leave and EI benefits in Ontario

Ontario caregivers can take job-protected time off, collect EI caregiving benefits while off, and claim the Canada Caregiver Credit. The leave comes from Ontario law, the pay from federal EI: each needs its own paperwork.

By ParentCare Ontario Editorial, published by Otonabee Marketing. Facts checked October 28, 2026. General information, not tax, legal or medical advice.

Three job-protected leaves

All are unpaid by the employer, and you can qualify for more than one for the same situation.

Leave	Length	When it applies	Time on the job needed
Family caregiver leave	8 weeks per calendar year per family member	Serious medical condition, long-term or on and off	None
Critical illness leave	17 weeks in 52 for an adult; 37 weeks in 52 for a child under 18	Family member is critically ill	6 months
Family medical leave	28 weeks in 52	Significant risk of death within 26 weeks	None

A note from a qualified health practitioner is needed (for family medical leave, a doctor or nurse practitioner).
Taking one day of family caregiver leave uses a full week.
Tell your employer in writing before the leave, or as soon as possible after it starts. Your employer can't penalize you for taking it.
Federal workplaces (banks, airlines, telecoms) follow the Canada Labour Code instead.

EI caregiving benefits

EI benefit	Weeks	For
Compassionate care	26	End-of-life care (pairs with family medical leave)
Family caregiver benefit for adults	15	Critically ill or injured adult (pairs with critical illness leave)
Family caregiver benefit for children	35	Critically ill or injured child

EI pays part of your insurable earnings up to a weekly maximum, and family members can share the weeks. Family caregiver leave (8 weeks) has no matching EI benefit. Apply through EI caregiving benefits (canada.ca).

Canada Caregiver Credit

If a parent, grandparent or other relative depends on you because of a physical or mental impairment, you may claim up to $8,601 (2025 tax year) on your return. This is the amount the credit is worked out on, not the cash you get back. It shrinks as the relative's own income rises. Keep a signed note from their doctor in case the Canada Revenue Agency asks.

Facts checked October 28, 2026. We take every amount from the official source and recheck each January and July. Always confirm with the program before you apply.