Self-employed benefits
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Sometimes in life, you need to take time away from your business to care for yourself, your children or other family members. Employment Insurance (EI) has a special benefits program designed for self-employed people like you.
Are you self-employed?
If you run your own business, or control 40% of the corporation’s voting shares, you are considered to be self-employed.
To qualify for this benefits program, you must have entered into an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC). The CEIC plays a leadership role in overseeing Employment Insurance. Your agreement needs to be active for 12 months or more before you can apply for benefits.
How do you know if you have a valid signed agreement with the CEIC?
You can log in to My Service Canada Account. Under the Employment Insurance section, you will be able to “View my agreement status (self-employed)”.
Types of special benefits for self-employed people
The EI program for self-employed people includes 6 types of benefits.
If you live in Quebec
If you’re a resident of Quebec, only sickness, compassionate care and family caregiver benefits are available to you through our program. The Province of Quebec is responsible for providing maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits to its residents. Visit the Québec Parental Insurance Plan for more information.
Maternity benefits
If you're away from work because you are pregnant or have recently given birth.
Parental benefits
If you're away from work to care for your newborn or newly adopted child.
Sickness benefits
If you cannot work for medical reasons.
Compassionate care
If you're away from work to provide end‑of‑life care. End-of-life-care is defined as providing care or support to a person who has a serious medical condition with a significant risk of death within 26 weeks (6 months).
Family caregiver benefit for children
If you're away from work to provide care or support for a critically ill or injured child under 18.
Family caregiver benefit for adults
If you're away from work to provide care or support to a critically ill or injured person 18 or older.
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