Benefits for Self - Employed People:
Beginning in January 2011, self-employed Canadians will be able to access Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits. There are four types of EI special benefits:
Eligibility information
You may be eligible to access EI 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.
By entering into this agreement, you will confirm your interest in participating in this measure and in paying EI 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 EI special benefits 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 EI special benefits.
Information from the March/April Bulletin, Volume 15, Issue 2.