The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has officially announced the continuation of its $695/week Caregiving Benefits under the Employment Insurance (EI) framework for July 2025.
This support program is designed to help individuals who are temporarily away from work to provide care for a critically ill or injured family member or someone who is considered family.
With the cost of living continuing to rise in 2025, this increased weekly benefit offers financial relief to thousands of Canadian citizens who shoulder caregiving responsibilities while sacrificing work income.
Overview of CRA Caregiving Benefits 2025
| Post | $695 / Week Caregiving Benefits By CRA |
|---|---|
| Proposed By | Government of Canada |
| Country | Canada |
| Benefit Provider | Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) |
| Main Purpose | Financial Support for Caregivers |
| Eligibility | Canadian Citizens |
| Payment Start Date | July 2025 |
| Confirmed Weekly Amount | $695 |
| Official Website | canada.ca |
Canada EI Caregiving Benefit Eligibility 2025
To qualify for the CRA Caregiving Benefit of $695/week, individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be a legal resident of Canada.
- Must have a valid employment record.
- Must have worked a minimum of 600 insured hours in the last 52 weeks before applying.
- Must have lost at least 40% of regular weekly earnings due to caregiving responsibilities.
- The individual being cared for must be medically certified as critically ill, injured, or in need of significant support.
- Care must be provided to a family member or someone considered close as family.
These rules ensure that support reaches those genuinely in need, especially during medical emergencies or recovery phases.
CRA EI Caregiving Benefit Payment Schedule – July 2025
The CRA Caregiving Benefit is paid weekly to eligible individuals. For July 2025, payments will continue to be disbursed consistently to ensure beneficiaries can meet ongoing caregiving-related costs.
| Benefit Name | CRA EI Caregiving Benefits |
|---|---|
| Payment Month | July 2025 |
| Payment Interval | Weekly |
| Weekly Payment Amount | $695 |
This weekly schedule allows for stable, predictable support, helping caregivers remain financially secure while attending to loved ones in need.
How Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
The CRA caregiving benefit is based on 55% of the claimant’s average weekly insurable earnings, up to a maximum of $695/week. To qualify for the maximum amount, an individual must have insurable earnings of $65,700/year.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Insurable Earnings | $65,700 |
| Original Weekly Amount | $668 |
| Updated Weekly Amount (2025) | $695 |
The payment is further influenced by the number of best weeks worked (i.e., weeks with the highest earnings), which depends on the regional unemployment rate.
Best Weeks Requirement by Unemployment Rate
| Unemployment Rate | Best Weeks Required |
|---|---|
| 13.1% and above | 14 |
| 12.1% – 13% | 15 |
| 11.1% – 12% | 16 |
| 10.1% – 11% | 17 |
| 9.1% – 10% | 18 |
| 8.1% – 9% | 19 |
| 7.1% – 8% | 20 |
| 6.1% – 7% | 21 |
| 6% and below | 22 |
This method ensures that individuals in higher-unemployment areas can access benefits more easily with fewer qualifying weeks.
Why the Increase Matters
In response to rising healthcare and caregiving costs, the $695 weekly payment reflects a commitment by the Government of Canada to maintain the financial security of caregivers. This benefit is especially vital for:
- Parents caring for critically ill children
- Adults supporting elderly or injured relatives
- Individuals forced to take unpaid leave for medical caregiving responsibilities
With the economic climate remaining challenging, this benefit helps caregivers focus on their loved ones without the added stress of lost income.
The CRA $695/week Caregiving Benefit for July 2025 is a lifeline for Canadian residents who must temporarily leave the workforce to provide essential care.
With automatic weekly disbursements, no change in application for existing recipients, and increased payment rates, this program continues to be a cornerstone of Canada’s support for working families and compassionate caregivers.
Make sure your employment records and caregiving documentation are up to date to ensure uninterrupted payments.
FAQs
Who is eligible for the CRA $695/week caregiving benefit in 2025?
Legal Canadian residents with 600 insured work hours in the past year and a valid caregiving need certified by a medical professional.
When will the caregiving benefit be paid?
The payments are made weekly, with the next cycle beginning in July 2025 for eligible individuals.
How is the $695/week benefit amount calculated?
It equals 55% of average insurable earnings, with the maximum capped at $695/week based on a yearly income of $65,700.