Maternity leave mortgage —
qualify on your full salary,
not just your EI.
The right lender will use your guaranteed return-to-work income with a simple employer letter, so a temporary leave doesn’t cost you the home you’re ready to buy.
How we get leave files
approved — and why it matters.
The right lender treats you as the earner you are, not the temporarily-reduced one. We know which lenders those are.
Qualify on your full return salary
Many lenders use the full salary you’ll return to — not your reduced EI benefit. That single distinction is often the difference between a decline and a clean approval at full buying power.
One letter unlocks it
A short employer letter confirming your return date, position, and salary is all it takes. We give you the exact template so your HR can produce it in minutes — nothing vague, nothing missing.
Works for purchases and refinances
Whether you’re buying your first home during leave or refinancing to consolidate debt, the return-to-work income approach applies equally. You don’t need to cut your leave short.
Combine spousal income too
We structure the file on the strongest combination of your return salary and your partner’s income. The household qualifies on its real earning power, not a sliver of it.
Three steps to
approve on leave.
One letter, the right lender,
and your file approves cleanly.
Confirm your return
Tell us your leave dates, your normal salary, and your planned return. The key document is a letter from your employer confirming your position is held, your return date, and the salary you’ll return to. We tell you exactly what it needs to say.
Match a leave-friendly lender
Not every lender handles parental leave the same way — some average EI with return income, the best ones use your full return salary. We place your file with a lender that qualifies you on your real earning power, and disclose rate, term, and fees in writing.
Approve + close
With the employer letter and your income confirmed, we submit the file and, once approved, your lawyer closes — whether that’s a purchase or a refinance. You move forward on the timeline that works for your family, not your underwriter.
We can help across
every leave scenario.
Tap any situation below to see how we approach it.
If you’re…You’re on standard 12-month maternity or parental leave right now
You’re on standard 12-month maternity or parental leave right now
This is the most common file we see. With an employer letter and a return date inside 12 months, most A-lenders will qualify you on your full return salary. We know which ones move fastest and require the least back-and-forth.
Start my applicationIf you’re…You took extended 18-month parental leave
You took extended 18-month parental leave
Extended leave (EI at 33% for up to 18 months) means your return date may fall outside some lenders’ standard window. We’re selective about which lender receives your file — some still approve on return income even at 15–18 months out.
Check my timelineIf you’re…You want to refinance an existing mortgage while on leave
You want to refinance an existing mortgage while on leave
The same return-to-work income approach applies to a refinance. Many families tap home equity during leave to consolidate debt or fund renovations. We treat a leave refinance exactly like any other, just with the return-income documentation.
Model my refinanceIf you’re…You’re a first-time buyer AND currently on parental leave
You’re a first-time buyer AND currently on parental leave
Leave-income qualifying stacks with every first-time buyer program — FHSA, RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, gifted down payment, and Ontario land transfer rebates all still apply. We layer the return-to-work approach on top so nothing is lost.
See first-time programsIf you’re…You’re self-employed and took time off for leave
You’re self-employed and took time off for leave
Self-employed leave is handled differently since there’s no employer letter. Lenders typically look at your historical business income and how the business continues. It’s very workable — we combine stated or documented business income with your leave situation.
See self-employed optionsIf you’re…Your partner’s income can carry the application on its own
Your partner’s income can carry the application on its own
In some files the partner’s income alone qualifies the household, with your return salary adding buffer. We structure it whichever way approves most cleanly and at the best rate — sometimes a solo application qualifies for better pricing than a joint one.
Explore my optionsEI income vs.
return-to-work income.
The lender you choose determines which number qualifies you. The gap between them is often the difference between a decline and a clean approval.
- Income usedEI benefit ($729/wk max)
- Annual equivalent~$37,908/year
- GDS at ~39%~$14,784/year housing
- Qualifying mortgage~$180,000
- OutcomeDecline at most price points
- Buying powerSeverely limited
- Income usedFull return salary
- Annual equivalent$85,000/year
- GDS at ~39%~$33,150/year housing
- Qualifying mortgage~$430,000+
- OutcomeClean approval
- Buying powerFull pre-leave power
Illustrative only — based on a $85,000 return salary, stress-tested at 6.39%, 25-year amortization. EI maximums from Government of Canada (accessed September 2026). Your qualifying amount will differ.
Common questions,
clear answers.
Employer letters, EI limits, partner income, self-employment — answered plainly.
Can I really get a mortgage while on maternity or parental leave?
Yes. Being on leave doesn’t disqualify you; the issue is only how income is assessed. Many lenders will use the full salary you’re returning to, as long as you confirm your return with an employer letter. The trick is choosing a lender that does this rather than one that looks only at your reduced EI benefit. That lender choice is exactly where we add value.
What does the employer letter need to say?
It should confirm that your employment continues, your position is being held, your guaranteed return-to-work date, and the salary (or hourly rate and hours) you’ll return to. Some lenders also want confirmation you were employed there before the leave. We give you a clear template so your HR department can produce it quickly.
Will the lender use my EI income or my regular salary?
The best lenders qualify you on your full return-to-work salary when you confirm your return — your EI benefit during leave isn’t the ceiling. Some lenders take a more conservative approach and average or use the lower figure, which is why we’re selective about where we place your file. In files we see, the difference can be tens of thousands in buying power.
Can my partner’s income carry the application?
Yes. If you’re applying jointly, your partner’s income combines with your return-to-work salary so the household qualifies on its true earning power. In some cases the partner’s income alone is enough, with yours as support. We structure it whichever way approves cleanly.
Can I refinance while on leave, not just buy?
Absolutely. The same principle applies — return-to-work income with an employer letter — whether you’re purchasing or refinancing. Many families refinance during leave to consolidate debt or access equity for the new arrival’s expenses. We treat a leave refinance exactly like any other, just with the return-income documentation.
Do I need to be back at work before closing?
Usually not. Many lenders will use your full return salary if your confirmed return date falls within their window, often within about 12 months, so you usually don’t have to cut your leave short. If your return is further out, some lenders use only part of your income or want savings to cover the gap, so tell us your return date up front.
What if I’m self-employed and took time off?
Self-employed leave is handled differently since there’s no employer letter. Lenders typically look at your historical business income and how the business continues during your time off. It’s very workable — see our self-employed mortgage page for how stated and documented business income is assessed, and we’ll combine that approach with your leave situation.
Does being pregnant or planning a leave affect my approval?
Pregnancy itself isn’t an underwriting factor. Lenders assess income, so if a leave will start before closing, tell us up front and we’ll document your return-to-work income from the start rather than risk an issue at final approval. What matters is documented, continuing income. If you’re planning a leave, we’ll structure the file around your confirmed employment and salary so the timing of your family plans doesn’t work against you.
Can I combine this with first-time-buyer help?
Yes — leave-income qualifying stacks with everything else. FHSA savings, the RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan, a gifted down payment, and first-time-buyer rebates all still apply. Start with our first-time home buyer page for the full set of programs and we’ll layer in the return-to-work income approach.
We’ll try to beat your rate.
If we can’t, we pay you $500.¹
¹ Rate Beat: eligible Big-6 bank written offers only · same product, term & amount · $500 paid to you or your nominated charity at closing · conditions apply
Find a specialist in your city
A maternity or parental leave mortgage depends on lender policy, not just income math. Our advisors serve clients across Canada and know which lenders in your market are most leave-friendly.