QPIP (Quebec Parental Insurance Plan) is Quebec's own parental leave program, separate from federal EI. It provides more generous benefits (up to 75% of income) and includes dedicated paternity leave that other provinces don't have.

How much does QPIP pay?

QPIP pays 70-75% of your average weekly income under the basic plan, or 75-80% under the special plan (shorter duration). The maximum insurable income is $94,000 (2026), resulting in a maximum benefit of about $1,355/week.

Do Quebec residents use EI for parental leave?

No. Quebec workers do not pay EI premiums for parental benefits and must use QPIP instead. However, Quebec residents still use EI for unemployment, sickness, and caregiving benefits.

QPIP: Quebec Parental Insurance Plan Guide (2026)

QPIP at a Glance

Feature	QPIP (Quebec)	EI Parental (Rest of Canada)
Replacement rate	70-75%	55%
Max weekly benefit	~$1,355	$668
Paternity leave	✅ 5 weeks	❌ None (shared only)
Waiting period	❌ None	1 week
Min earnings required	$2,000	600 hours

QPIP Benefit Plans

Basic Plan (Longer Duration)

Benefit Type	Weeks	Replacement Rate
Maternity (birth parent only)	18 weeks	70%
Paternity (other parent)	5 weeks	70%
Parental (shareable)	32 weeks	70% (7 wks) + 55% (25 wks)
Total available	55 weeks	—

Special Plan (Higher Payment)

Benefit Type	Weeks	Replacement Rate
Maternity (birth parent only)	15 weeks	75%
Paternity (other parent)	3 weeks	75%
Parental (shareable)	25 weeks	75%
Total available	43 weeks	—

Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Details
Residence	Live in Quebec
Employment	Insurable employment in Quebec
Minimum earnings	$2,000 in the last 52 weeks
Type of work	Employee or self-employed (both covered)
Premium paid	QPIP premiums deducted from pay

Payment Examples (Basic Plan)

Annual Salary	Weekly Benefit (70%)	Monthly (approx)
$40,000	$538	$2,331
$60,000	$808	$3,501
$80,000	$1,077	$4,667
$94,000+	$1,355 (max)	$5,872

How to Apply

Step 1: Register

Create an account at rqap.gouv.qc.ca

Step 2: Choose Your Plan

Select Basic Plan (longer, lower rate) or Special Plan (shorter, higher rate). You cannot change plans once benefits start.

Step 3: Apply Online

Apply up to 6 weeks before expected due date
Submit within 6 months after birth or adoption

Step 4: Receive Benefits

No waiting period (unlike EI)
Direct deposit to your bank account

QPIP vs Federal EI Parental

Feature	QPIP	EI Parental
Who uses it	Quebec residents	Rest of Canada
Replacement rate	70-75% (basic)	55%
Max weekly	~$1,355	$668
Paternity leave	5 weeks exclusive	None (shared parental only)
Self-employed	Mandatory coverage	Optional opt-in
Waiting period	None	1 week

Shareable Parental Benefits

Arrangement	Weeks Available
One parent takes all parental	32 weeks (basic) or 25 weeks (special)
Split between parents	Same total, divided as you choose
Bonus for sharing	Extra weeks if both parents take minimum

Self-Employed Coverage

Feature	QPIP	EI (Self-Employed)
Coverage	Mandatory	Voluntary opt-in
Premium rate	0.878% of income	1.66× employee rate
Benefits	Same as employees	Same as employees

Quebec’s mandatory coverage means all self-employed workers are automatically eligible.