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Employment Insurance Special Benefits for the Self-Employed
New in Canada's Economic Action Plan
On November 3, 2009 the Government tabled legislation, the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act, to provide EI maternity, parental/adoption, sickness and compassionate care benefits to self-employed Canadians on a voluntary basis. This legislation, which received Royal Assent on December 15, 2009, allowed the self-employed to opt into the EI program in January 2010, while benefits will start being paid in January 2011. This measure responds to the Government’s 2008 pledge to provide access to EI maternity and parental benefits to the self-employed.
Residents of Quebec would continue to receive maternity and parental benefits through the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan and would be eligible to opt into the EI program for sickness and compassionate care benefits.
About the Program
EI is a national program which provides eligible Canadians with access to four types of special benefits to support workers when they experience an interruption in earnings due to illness, childbirth, parenting, or the provision of care or support to a gravely ill family member.
How It Works
The EI program is currently designed for workers in an employer-employee relationship and funded through employer and employee premiums. Under the Fairness for the Self-Employed Act, self employed Canadians who wish to take advantage of EI special benefits will be required to opt into the EI program at least one year prior to claiming benefits, and will be responsible for making premium payments for the tax year in which they apply to the program. Special benefits provided to self-employed individuals will mirror those currently available to salaried employees under the EI program.
How to Find Out More
For information on EI special benefits for the self-employed, including information about registration, contact Service Canada toll-free at 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232; teletypewriter 1‑800‑926-9105), consult the Service Canada website or visit a local Service Canada Centre.
Initiative Update
Self-employed Canadians have been able to voluntarily opt into the EI program since January 31, 2010, and as a transitional measure those who register on or before April 1, 2010, will be able to collect benefits as early as January 1, 2011.
More Info:
http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei/
self_employed_workers.shtml
For more information on the Economic Action Plan initiatives, follow the links below:
