New Employment Insurance (EI) Special Benefits for Self-Employed People
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Beginning in January 2011, self-employed Canadians will be able to access Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits. There are four types of Employment Insurance special benefits:
- maternity benefits;
- parental benefits;
- sickness benefits; and
- compassionate care benefits.
Eligibility information
You may be eligible to access Employment Insurance special benefits beginning in January 2011 if you:
- are a self-employed person; and
- are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada; and
- have entered into an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission through Service Canada.
Application information
As a self-employed person, you will be able to enter into an agreement with the Commission through Service Canada starting on January 31, 2010.
To enter into an agreement with the Commission, you will have to register online using My Service Canada Account anywhere you can access the Internet, including at a Service Canada Centre near you.
By entering into this agreement, you will confirm your interest in participating in this measure and in paying Employment Insurance premiums on your self-employment income.
Please note that if you have previously used My Service Canada Account, you can register using your existing user code and password.
If you have not previously used My Service Canada Account, you can apply at any time for a personal access code on the My Service Canada Account Web page. Once you apply, it will take about 10 days to receive your personal access code in the mail.
Dates and deadlines
Self-employed persons will be able to enter into an agreement beginning January 31, 2010.
If you enter into an agreement between January 31, 2010 and April 1, 2010, you will be able to make a claim for Employment Insurance special benefit as early as January 2011. However, if you enter into an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission after April 1, 2010, you will have to wait 12 months before you will be able to make a claim for Employment Insurance special benefits.
For more information visit: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/self_employed_workers.shtml
