The federal government today announced that six weeks of Compassionate Care benefit is now available for Canadians who are eligible for Employment Insurance.

The benefit was originally announced as part of the 2003 federal Budget.

“The Government of Canada believes that Canadians should not have to choose between their job and caring for their family during a serious medical crisis,” said Joe Volpe, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “The Compassionate Care benefit will allow eligible Canadians to deal with these serious family issues.”

The benefit provides temporary income support for eligible workers who take leave to provide care or support for a family member who has a significant risk of death within six months.

To be eligible for the new benefit, workers must have worked 600 hours. Beneficiaries will need to submit a medical certificate from the attending physician of the family member who is ill.

The program was designed to be flexible and the benefit can be shared with other EI-eligible family members. Eligible workers can claim the benefit to care for a spouse, a child, a parent or a common-law partner

“We want to provide families with more choices to decide how they can best provide quality care for the gravely ill family member,” said Eleni Bakopanos, parliamentary secretary to Volpe.

A 26-week (six months) “window” in which the Benefit’s six weeks can be taken will be applicable. The window will cover the 26-week period identified by the doctor during which there is a need for one or more family members to provide care or support to the gravely ill family member. Within those 26 weeks, the family members can decide on how, when and by whom the six weeks should be taken.