Parental Leave Supplementary Top-Up Payment

Good news for future parents! There is a parental leave top-up benefit available for you.

If you are planning a family, be sure to inquire to set up this benefit. The benefit provides a $200/week top-up to supplement the income from Employment Insurance (EI) or the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) during parental leaves.

It is designed for members who are new parents, including birth parents and adoptive parents. To qualify, members must be in good standing with IATSE Local 873 for at least 13 weeks before the due date or start of Parental Leave and must be entitled to EI or QPIP during their leave. Proof of EI or QPIP is required to receive these top-up benefits.

Guidelines for Parental Leave Supplementary Payment :

If you are receiving Employment Insurance parental leave payments, you may qualify for a $200 per week taxable supplemental payment from the IATSE Local 873 Health & Welfare Trust. This benefit will be payable for a period lasting no longer than 52 weeks from your child’s birth or the date of placement of an adopted child.  You must be in receipt of EI parental benefits to qualify.  Once your claim is approved, your hour bank will be frozen for the time you are claiming this benefit. 

Who qualifies for the parental supplemental benefit? 

The maternity/parental supplement is available to all Local 873 members who: Are new parents that have been registered or approved for EI parental benefits and have been in good standing with IATSE Local 873 for a minimum of 13 weeks prior to the baby’s due date or date of adoption. This supplement applies only for the IATSE Local 873-member portion of an EI claim—even though that member may also have a spouse or partner also receiving EI benefits.

Here’s how the supplement applies:   Members who are mothers are entitled to all 52 weeks provided they remain on EI through their parental leave. If the plan member (parent who started the EI claim) returns to work and their spouse takes a portion of the parental leave, then no benefit is paid once the member has returned to work. Members who are fathers or legal partners who are also members are entitled to the supplement during the EI-approved portion of the parental leave.  

Details about the supplemental payments  –Income tax will be applied to the payment (where required) based on government-approved income tax tables and basic personal exemption amounts.  The $200/week supplement will be added to the member’s weekly EI benefits and together, these payments cannot exceed the member’s normal weekly wage earnings (100% of gross salary).  This supplement cannot be used to reduce other accumulated employment benefits (e.g., banked sick leave, vacation leave credits, or severance pay).

If you are currently receiving EI or QPIP benefits for a parental or adoption leave, please contact the union office to apply –benefits@iatse873.com

Did you know?
While on maternity leave, you can have your union dues reduced to $58 / quarter or $232 for the year if you are off for the full 12 months.