Sick Notes for Family Caregiving Leave in Ontario
Ontario law provides leave for caring for sick family members. Here's what documentation you need and your rights as a caregiver.
## Sick Notes for Family Caregiving Leave in Ontario
Sometimes you need time off not because you're sick, but because a family member needs care. Ontario law provides several types of leave for caregivers.
### Types of Caregiving Leave in Ontario
**Family Responsibility Leave**
- Up to 3 days per year (unpaid)
- For care of family members
- No medical note legally required
**Family Caregiver Leave**
- Up to 8 weeks per year (unpaid)
- For caring for a family member with a serious medical condition
- Requires a medical certificate for the ill family member
**Family Medical Leave**
- Up to 28 weeks (unpaid)
- For caring for a family member at risk of death
- Requires a medical certificate
- EI Compassionate Care Benefits available
**Critical Illness Leave**
- Up to 37 weeks for a child, 17 weeks for an adult
- For caring for a critically ill family member
- Requires a medical certificate
### When You Need Documentation
- **Family Responsibility Leave**: No note required
- **Family Caregiver Leave**: Medical certificate required (for the ill family member)
- **Your own sick note**: If caregiving stress has made you ill, you can take your own sick days
### How MedLetter Can Help
If caregiving responsibilities have affected your own health (stress, exhaustion, burnout), MedLetter can provide documentation for your own sick leave.
**Get documentation — [Start here](/get-started/sick_note)**