It’s Mat Leave Monday! Today I’m talking about recent changes announced by the government that could increase the amount of money you’re making. Riveting, riveting stuff. But it’s important, because who doesn’t like a pay raise? Especially considering that in this economy, those of us on mat leave may be the only ones seeing a raise of any kind.
As of yesterday the amount of money you can earn without affecting your parental benefits has increased. Any money that you earn while you’re on maternity leave is deducted dollar for dollar from your EI benefits. Once you’re on parental leave, though, you are allowed to earn a small amount of money before your benefits are affected. From now until December 4, 2010 that amount is $75 or 40% of weekly benefits, whichever is higher. This means that if you’re currently receiving the maximum $435 / week, you can now make an additional $174 / week before your EI is affected.
The other change doesn’t help those of us who are already on leave, but if you’re planning to start your maternity or parental leave on or after December 28, this is good news. The government has announced that in 2009 the maximum weekly EI benefits will be increase from $435 to $447 per week. So if you make at least $42300 per year, you will receive more while you’re on EI.
I also want to point out that I’ve recently added email contact info on the right side of the header at Strocel.com. I’d love it if you’d drop me a line. 
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