A by-the-numbers look at maternity and sickness benefits under EI

OTTAWA – A by-the-numbers look at federal maternity and sickness benefits under the employment insurance program:

336,800: Claims for sickness benefits in the 2013-14 fiscal year

360,760: Claims for maternity, parental and adoption benefits in the 2013-14 fiscal year, outside Quebec

$1.3 billion: Amount in sickness benefits paid out during 2013-14 fiscal year

$3.43 billion: Amount in maternity, parental and adoption benefits paid out during the 2013-14 fiscal year, outside Quebec

$388: Average weekly sickness benefit claim during the 2013-14 fiscal year.

$438: Average weekly benefits for maternity, parental and adoption benefits during the 2013-13 fiscal year

15: Maximum number of weeks eligible claimants can take sickness benefits.

9.7: Average number of weeks sickness claimants take.

75: Percentage of claimants who use the maximum and who don’t return to work in six months, or never return.

(Source: Employment and Social Development Canada)