The compassionate care benefits in Canada is like the EI (Employment Insurance) benefit. If a person has to take a break from work to take care of a very unwell family member, then he/she can apply for compassionate care reimbursement. It is like providing care for a family person who requires end-of-life care.
There are many criteria to be fulfilled, though, to be eligible to apply for such compensation.
- Firstly, the family member, who needs care, must be on the qualifying family members’ list.
- Secondly, such a diseased family member should be at the possibility of dying within 26 weeks.
- Thirdly, the family member could be residing outside Canada but should fulfill the above two criteria for getting the benefits.
The caregiver shall have to inform the Service Canada if he/she has to leave the country to take care of the unwell family member, either by calling the Service Canada Centre or by going their personally.
The following points must be proved to be eligible for getting compassionate care remuneration.
- The caregiver must be losing 40 percent or more of his/her weekly income.
- The caregiver must have worked for 600 hours or more during the last one year ( 52 weeks) or since the previous claim was made.
- The caregiver must submit a medical certificate which states that the diseased person is in a threat to death within 26 weeks.
What is the amount of benefits for Compassionate Care Benefits in Canada?
Generally, the benefit is 55% of the caregiver’s average insured earnings. It is noteworthy that the amount received under such a scheme will be taxable by the government. There is a way of calculating the amount, which also depends on the applicant’s financial status.
If the applicant belongs to a low-income group, then there is a possibility that he/she will qualify for more amounts.
For how long can the benefits be availed?
Within one year (52 weeks), the compensation care benefits can be availed for a maximum tenure of 26 weeks. Either the caregiver can take the services altogether or in different periods.
The person eligible can also combine some of the benefits for extending the period to collect the compassionate benefits. But, there are restrictions on when the period for compensation starts and when does it end.
Who will not be given the benefit?
A caregiver who is already living with a family member who has a chronic medical state, then he/she won’t be eligible for benefits. There should be a sudden significant change in the family member’s health because of some new and severe life-threatening incidents; only then can the caregiver be eligible for the payback.