WHAT IS THE COMPASSIONATE CARE BENEFIT? The Government of Canada created the Compassionate Care benefit to help Canadians deal with the demands of a family member who has a serious medical condition with a significant risk of death. This benefit will be made available to Employment Insurance (EI)-eligible workers in a given family to share when a parent, spouse, child or common-law partner are at significant risk of death. When will the benefit start, how long will it last and who is eligible? . View HRDC Update online. http://www.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca . or call 1 800 206-7218, or visit your local HRDC office.