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Help for caregivers
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Caregiver benefits in Canada include the Canada caregiver credit on your tax return, Employment Insurance caregiving benefits if you take time off work, and provincial payments or credits in some provinces. Home care programs can also give you a break through respite care. Veterans' caregivers may get a monthly tax-free benefit.
Key facts
- Canada caregiver credit, 2025 tax year
- Up to $8,601 per dependant aged 18 or older (line 30450)
- EI caregiving benefits, 2026
- 55% of earnings, up to $729 a week
- Nova Scotia Caregiver Benefit
- $400 a month
- Veterans Caregiver Recognition Benefit, from January 1, 2026
- $1,264.25 a month, tax-free
Who can get caregiver benefits in Canada?
You are a caregiver if you help a spouse, parent, other relative or friend who needs support because of illness, disability or age, and you are not paid for it. Many caregivers are retirees looking after a spouse. The help on this page can apply to you whether you live with the person or not, but each program has its own rules.
Canada caregiver credit: how much can you claim?
The Canada caregiver credit is a non-refundable tax credit. It lowers the federal tax you owe if you support a spouse, common-law partner or dependant with a physical or mental impairment. The person must depend on you for basic needs such as food, shelter or clothing.
For the 2025 tax year, you can claim up to $8,601 for each infirm dependant aged 18 or older, such as a parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew, on line 30450. Their net income must be less than $28,798. They do not have to live with you, but they must have lived in Canada at some time in the year. For a spouse or eligible dependant, the amount is worked out on Schedule 5 and claimed on line 30425.
The CRA may ask for a signed statement from a medical practitioner that says when the impairment began and how long it is expected to last. An approved Disability Tax Credit certificate (form T2201) also works. Amounts change each tax year; check the CRA page before you file your 2026 return.
A credit lowers tax you owe. If you owe no federal tax, the Canada caregiver credit will not give you a refund.
EI caregiving benefits if you are still working
If you are still working and need time off to care for someone who is critically ill, injured or near the end of life, Employment Insurance may pay you while you are away. There are three types:
- Family caregiver benefit for adults: up to 15 weeks
- Compassionate care benefits: up to 26 weeks
- Family caregiver benefit for children: up to 35 weeks
In 2026 you could get 55% of your earnings, up to $729 a week. You need at least 600 insured hours of work in the 52 weeks before your claim, and your weekly earnings must have dropped by more than 40% for at least one week. A doctor or nurse practitioner must certify the person's condition. The person does not have to be a relative; they can be someone who is like family to you.
How to apply for EI caregiving benefits
- Ask the person's doctor or nurse practitioner to complete the medical certificate.
- Get your record of employment from your employer.
- Apply online through the Government of Canada EI page, or call 1-800-206-7218 for help.
- If you are not related to the person, complete the attestation form that says they consider you like family.
Caregiver payments and credits by province
Some provinces pay caregivers directly or give a tax credit. Others help through home care and respite. Here is what official sources show.
- Nova Scotia, Caregiver Benefit: $400 a month to a caregiver who gives 20 or more hours of help a week to an adult assessed as having a high level of impairment, whose household income falls in category A of the home care income table. Both people must be 19 or older and live in Nova Scotia. Call Continuing Care at 1-800-225-7225.
- Manitoba, Primary Caregiver Tax Credit: a refundable credit of $1,400 a year for unpaid caregivers who have cared for more than 90 days. The person must be assessed at home care level 2, 3 or 4 and live at home. You register with Manitoba Finance, and registration lasts up to three years. It is not income tested.
- Quebec, tax credit for caregivers: up to $1,494 or $2,988 for 2025, depending on your situation. It can apply if you help a person aged 18 or older with an impairment, or if you live with a relative aged 70 or older. The amount depends on the type of care receiver and their income.
- Ontario: Ontario Health atHome arranges home care and can tell you about caregiver support, respite and adult day programs. Some community support services charge a fee. Call 1-833-515-1234.
- Other provinces and territories: ask your local home care office about respite, or dial 2-1-1 for caregiver support programs.
Respite care: getting a break
Respite care gives you time off while someone else looks after the person you care for. It can be a worker who comes to the home, an adult day program, or a short stay in a care home. In most provinces, you start by asking your public home care program for an assessment. Some services are free and others have a fee.
Ask for respite before you are exhausted. Waiting lists are common.
Caregiver Recognition Benefit for veterans' caregivers
Veterans Affairs Canada pays the Caregiver Recognition Benefit directly to the unpaid caregiver of a former Canadian Armed Forces member. From January 1, 2026, it is $1,264.25 a month, tax-free. The veteran must have a VAC disability benefit, need ongoing care for that condition, and not live permanently in a nursing home. The caregiver must be over 18 and not paid for the care.
The veteran applies through My VAC Account, by mail with form VAC-1540, or with help from VAC staff at 1-866-522-2122. VAC says to expect a decision within eight weeks.
What if your claim is refused?
If the CRA denies a caregiver credit, read the notice to see why. Often it needs more medical information. You can send it in, or file a formal objection. If EI refuses your claim, you can ask for a reconsideration. For provincial programs, ask for the reason in writing and how to appeal.
Things people often miss
- You may be able to claim the caregiver credit for a parent who lives in their own home.
- If the person you care for qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit, the certificate also supports your caregiver claim.
- Retirees with no job cannot get EI caregiving benefits, but a working son or daughter might.
- Keep receipts for care costs. Some can be claimed as medical expenses.
Who to contact
- Employment Insurance
Phone: 1-800-206-7218
TTY 1-800-529-3742. Officers Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm - Veterans Affairs Canada
Phone: 1-866-522-2122
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm local time - Nova Scotia Continuing Care
Phone: 1-800-225-7225
Caregiver Benefit and home care - Ontario Health atHome
Phone: 1-833-515-1234
Home care, respite and caregiver support in Ontario - 211
Phone: 2-1-1
Find caregiver support groups and respite programs near you
Common questions
How much is the Canada caregiver credit for 2025?
Up to $8,601 for each infirm dependant aged 18 or older on line 30450, if their net income is under $28,798. Other amounts apply for a spouse or child.
Can I claim the caregiver amount for my mother who lives alone?
Possibly. A parent does not have to live with you, but she must depend on you for basic needs, have an impairment and meet the income rule.
Do I get paid for caring for a family member in Canada?
There is no general federal payment. Nova Scotia pays $400 a month to some caregivers, Manitoba has a $1,400 refundable tax credit, and EI can pay workers who take time off.
How long can I get EI compassionate care benefits?
Up to 26 weeks. The family caregiver benefit for adults pays up to 15 weeks.
How much does EI pay for caregiving in 2026?
55% of your earnings, up to $729 a week.
What is respite care and how do I get it?
Respite care gives a caregiver a break. Ask your provincial home care program for an assessment, or dial 2-1-1.
How much is the Caregiver Recognition Benefit in 2026?
$1,264.25 a month, tax-free, from January 1, 2026. It is paid to the caregiver of an eligible veteran.
Sources
- Canada caregiver credit (Canada Revenue Agency)
- Canada caregiver amount for other infirm dependants age 18 or older (Canada Revenue Agency)
- Canada caregiver amount for spouse or common-law partner, or eligible dependant (Canada Revenue Agency)
- EI caregiving benefits (Government of Canada)
- EI caregiving benefits: Eligibility (Government of Canada)
- EI caregiving benefits: How much you could receive (Government of Canada)
- Employment Insurance contact information for individuals (Government of Canada)
- Caregiver Benefit (Government of Nova Scotia)
- Primary Caregiver Tax Credit (Government of Manitoba)
- Tax credit for caregivers: Amount (Revenu Québec)
- Home care for seniors (Government of Ontario)
- Caregiver Recognition Benefit (Veterans Affairs Canada)
- Rates (Veterans Affairs Canada)