Employment Insurance Special Benefits for Self-Employed People

Self-employed Canadians can access Employment Insurance (EI) special benefits. There are five types of EI special benefits:

• maternity benefits;
• parental benefits;
• sickness benefits;
• compassionate care benefits; and
• benefits for parents of critically ill children.

Currently, if you are a self-employed person in Quebec, you are already entitled to apply for maternity, paternity, and parental benefits through the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan. If you choose to participate in the EI program, you will be eligible to apply for EI sickness, compassionate care and parents of critically ill children benefits.

Eligibility information

Please read through the detailed eligibility criteria for more information.

Application information

Details are available on the Application information page.

Dates and deadlines

You can register to participate in the EI program through My Service Canada Account at any time.

Additional information

Service Canada, on behalf of the Government of Canada, is pleased to be able to offer EI special benefits to self-employed people. As with any important contractual document, be sure to read through the information provided about this new EI benefits offering before registering and accepting all the terms and conditions.

• Calculation of premiums
• Amount of weekly benefits
• Working while receiving special benefits
• Cancelling your participation
• Helpful program definitions
• Frequently asked questions
• EI Special Benefits for Self-Employed People Booklet

Other programs or services of interest

• Service Canada - Starting a Business
• Service Canada - Employers
• Canada Business
• Canada Revenue Agency – Self-employed
• Industry Canada – Business Tools and Resources