The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers Maternity and Parental Benefits to support parents during the critical early stages of child-rearing.
In 2025, these benefits have been structured to provide financial assistance to eligible individuals who are away from work due to pregnancy, childbirth, or the care of a newborn or newly adopted child.
Types of Benefits
- Maternity Benefits Designed for individuals who are pregnant or have recently given birth, maternity benefits are exclusive to the birth mother and cannot be shared with another parent.
- Parental Benefits Available to both biological and adoptive parents, parental benefits can be shared between parents, but certain limits apply.
Benefit Amounts and Durations
The following table summarizes the key aspects of maternity and parental benefits for 2025:
| Benefit Type | Coverage Percentage | Duration | Maximum Weekly Payment (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity | 55% of earnings | Up to 15 weeks | $695 |
| Standard Parental | 55% of earnings | Up to 40 weeks (one parent cannot receive more than 35 weeks) | $695 |
| Extended Parental | 33% of earnings | Up to 69 weeks (one parent cannot receive more than 61 weeks) | $417 |
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for these benefits, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- General Requirements:
- Be a resident of Canada.
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Have worked insurable employment and accumulated at least 600 insured hours in the 52 weeks before the start of the claim or since the start of the last claim, whichever is shorter.
- Have experienced a reduction of more than 40% in average weekly earnings due to pregnancy, childbirth, or childcare responsibilities.
- Maternity Benefits Specifics:
- Must be the biological mother or surrogate mother.
- Benefits can begin as early as 12 weeks before the expected due date and must end no later than 17 weeks after the due date or the date of birth.
- Parental Benefits Specifics:
- Must be caring for a newborn or newly adopted child.
- Benefits must be taken within specific periods starting from the week of the child’s birth or placement:
- Standard Parental Benefits: Within 52 weeks (12 months).
- Extended Parental Benefits: Within 78 weeks (18 months).
Application Process
- Gather Necessary Documents:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN).
- Banking information for direct deposit.
- Mailing and residential addresses.
- Child’s date of birth or expected date of birth.
- Submit an Application:
- Apply online through the or visit a Service Canada office.
- Ensure all information is accurate to avoid delays.
- Wait for Processing:
- Applications are typically processed within 28 days.
- Check the status online through your
Payment Schedule
Once approved, benefits are paid every two weeks. The first payment is usually received within 28 days of application approval. Payments are directly deposited into the applicant’s bank account.
Additional Considerations
- Shared Parental Benefits:
- If both parents agree to share parental benefits, additional weeks are available:
- Standard Parental Benefits: An extra 5 weeks, totaling 45 weeks.
- Extended Parental Benefits: An extra 8 weeks, totaling 77 weeks.
- Each parent must claim a minimum number of weeks to access these additional benefits.
- If both parents agree to share parental benefits, additional weeks are available:
- Self-Employed Individuals:
- Self-employed individuals may be eligible if they have registered for Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits and have contributed for at least 12 months before applying.
- Working While Receiving Benefits:
- It is possible to work while receiving parental benefits; however, earnings may reduce the benefit amount.
- All income must be reported to Service Canada.
The CRA Maternity and Parental Benefits for 2025 provide essential financial support to parents during significant life events.
Understanding the various benefit options, eligibility requirements, and application procedures is crucial for maximizing the support available. For personalized assistance and more detailed information, visit the
FAQs
1. Can both parents receive parental benefits simultaneously?
Yes, both parents can receive benefits at the same time, but the total weeks claimed cannot exceed the maximum allowed for each benefit type.
2. Are parental benefits taxable?
Yes, parental benefits are considered taxable income, and appropriate deductions are made before payment.
3. What happens if I don’t apply within the eligible period?
If you don’t apply within the specified periods (52