Act Respecting Parental Insurance 

(Quebec)

The Act respecting parental insurance is administered by the ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale. In force since January 1, 2006, the Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) is an effective means for workers to better reconcile work and family responsibilities. The QPIP is set up to pay benefits to all eligible workers, salaried and/or self-employed taking maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave or adoption leave. It replaces the maternity, parental or adoption benefits previously provided to Québec parents under the federal employment insurance plan. The QPIP is an income replacement plan: to be eligible, you must have received work income.

Features

•  The maximum insurable income is $62,500;

• Benefits may reach up to 75% of average weekly income;

• Quebec parents have a choice of two different options. They differ in the duration of leave and the percentage of income replaced;

• There is no waiting period before benefit payments start;

• The minimum insurable earnings considered when calculating the benefits is $2,000, regardless of the number of hours worked;

• Both self-employed and salaried workers are eligible;

• The Quebec Parental Insurance Plan offers paternity benefits designed exclusively for fathers.

Eligibility Requirements

Be the parent of a child born or adopted on or after January 1, 2006.

Be required to pay premiums under the Québec Parental Insurance Plan.

If you are a salaried worker, you must also:

•  Reside in Quebec at the start of the benefit period;

•  Have at least $2,000 in insurable income during the reference period, regardless of the number of hours worked;

•  Have stopped working or seen a reduction of at least 40% in your usual employment income. 

If you are a self-employed worker, you must also:

• Reside in Quebec at the start of the benefit period and have resided in Quebec on December 31 of the year preceding the start of the benefit period;

•  Have at least $2,000 in insurable income during the reference period;

•  Have ceased your business activities or reduced the time spent on your business activities by at least 40%.

If you are a worker who is both salaried and self-employed, you must also:

• Reside in Quebec at the start of the benefit period and have resided in Quebec on December 31 of the year preceding the start of the benefit period;

• Have at least $2,000 in insurable income during the reference period, regardless of the number of hours worked;

• Have ceased your business activities or reduced the time spent on your business activities by at least 40%, and have stopped working or seen a reduction of at least 40% in your usual employment income.

  Types of Benefits

• Maternity benefits, payable exclusively to the mother.

• Paternity benefits, payable exclusively to the father.

• Parental benefits, may be shared between both parents.

• Adoption benefits, may be shared between both parents.

Increase for low-income families

The QPIP provides an additional amount for low-income families. If your net family income is less than $25,921, you may be granted an increase in benefits.

The following chart summarizes the different possibilities for benefit payments.

Premium Rates as a Percentage of Income

Employees: 0.506%

Employers: 0.708%

Self-employed workers: 0.899%

For more information about premiums for the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan, visit the Revenu Québec Web site at: www.revenu.gouv.qc.ca.

How to Apply for Benefits

You can apply for benefits online by visiting the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan Web site at: www.rqap.gouv.qc.ca/Index_en.asp.

You can also apply by telephone with the help of a Customer Service Office by calling the QPIP customer service centre, the Centre de service à la clientèle, at the following numbers:

Throughout North America, toll-free: 1-888-610-7727

Overseas: 416-342-3059*

*Note that fees apply.