Surrogacy
Planning of Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) Benefit Weeks for a Surrogacy Project
Before applying for benefits, you must determine when you want to receive your benefits.
Exclusive benefits to the woman or the person experiencing pregnancy or childbirth may begin no sooner than 16 weeks before the expected week of delivery. Unless an exception applies, they must end no later than 20 weeks after your child’s birth.
The following benefits may begin no sooner than the week in which the child is entrusted to one of the parents taking part in the parental project:
- Paternity benefits or exclusive benefits to the parent who did not give birth
- Exclusive parental benefits
- Parental benefits shareable between the parents
- Welcome benefits shareable between the parents
In the case of a surrogacy project outside Québec, benefits may begin no sooner than five weeks before the date on which the child is entrusted to one of the parents taking part in the parental project.
Unless an exception applies, they must end no later than 78 weeks (18 months) after the date on which the child is entrusted to one of the parents taking part in the parental project.
Choice of Benefit Weeks
You may choose how to use and arrange your benefit weeks. They may be taken at the same time by both parents or at different times within the prescribed period. It is possible to divide benefit weeks in order to accommodate the needs and constraints of each parent.
A benefit week always begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday. It is impossible to split the week into days.
For example, if your child was born on a Wednesday and you worked on the Monday and Tuesday, you may start your benefits on the Sunday just before the birth and declare your earnings for the Monday and Tuesday. The other option is to start your benefits on the Sunday following the birth. Choose the option that best suits your personal situation.
When completing your application, you are not required to choose all your benefit weeks at once. You may add, change or cancel benefit weeks by accessing your online file or by contacting the Centre de service à la clientèle.
To better understand benefit weeks, see the examples of benefit week planning.
Informing the Employer
You must inform your employer of when you plan to take leave, whether or not you are eligible for parental insurance benefit weeks.
You must see the list and terms and conditions that apply to family-related leave.
Last update: February 26, 2026