foreigngirl

OK, I haven't really looked that much into this as I thought there's no chance I'm eligible for any maternity pay. But every time someone asks if I'm going to get any maternity pay, and I say 'no', they say 'surely, you'll get something?'.

Hmm...will I?

So, I'm a freelancer and I've been invoicing here since May 2013. So far, I've done around 1100 hours and I'll probably do another 300 before baby is born, so in total it should be around 1400 hours. I haven't done a tax return in this country yet (not sure if this matters).

I've heard of EI (or something similar), but then I also heard that if I claim it, then I'll pay higher taxes in the following year. Is that true?

So, what's the deal then? Am I eligible or not?
Thank you.

Almost Canadian

Here you go: Maternity Pay

foreigngirl

Yes, thanks I've seen that. It mentions EI benefits, but it looks like you need to have been registered for 12 months prior to claiming. So a no go for me.

I'm also planning to do some work when the baby's here, so looks like I'm not eligible at all. Just as I thought.

Almost Canadian

I didn't read it that way. I read it that you need to have the appropriate amount of hours within the preceding 52 week period.

I could be wrong as I haven't read all the links.

Edit: I see that you have to have registered for EI for 52 weeks prior to receiving it.

Atlantic Xpat

You need to have been paying into EI for the 52 week period to get maternity benefits. If, as a freelancer, you've not been paying EI then you won't get anything.

foreigngirl

Yep, that's what I thought. I haven't even been here for 12 months.
Oh well.
Thank you.

Aviator

You have to have a minimum number of qualifying insurable hours in the 52 weeks preceeding the claim. How many depends on the unemployment rate in your area, can be up to 900.

The rules for self employed are different than for employees.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/e...employed.shtml

You have to be paying into EI to be covered, it is not free money. Your tax won't go up, but you will have to pay and EI premium based on your income.

Lilipuddlian

I think you have to pay EI premiums. If you are self or contractually employed, out of luck. UNLESS you are in Quebec which recognizes those groups.