Self Employment Benefits Program (SEB)
The Self Employment Benefits (SEB) program provides entrepreneurial support and financial assistance to Labor Market Development Agreement (LMDA) eligible, unemployed participants starting their own business. Entrepreneurial support may include orientation, information sessions and/or workshops, coaching, mentoring, and access to specific business implementation training to enable participants to develop and implement their business plans.
Who delivers Self-Employment?
Employment Nova Scotia delivers Self-Employment and other Employment Benefits and Support Measures in Nova Scotia
Am I eligible for participation in Self-Employment?
To be LMDA eligible for Self-Employment you must meet one of the following:
- have a current Employment Insurance (EI) claim,
- have had an EI claim that ended within the last 60 months,
- have received benefits under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB),
- have been employed with gross insurable earnings of $2000 or higher annually, in at least 5 of the last 10 years.
*Other criteria may apply.
What else do I need to know?
- The date your completed application is received by Employment Nova Scotia is the date when you are considered to have requested assistance. This date is used to determine whether you qualify as a LMDA eligible participant within the time frames noted above.
- If you are currently receiving Employment Insurance, you may continue to receive your regular Employment Insurance benefits until the end of your benefit period, after which you may be eligible to receive a living allowance to the end of your Self-Employment agreement.
- If you are not in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance for living expenses.
- Temporary financial assistance may be provided in exceptional circumstances to cover all or part of the following costs related to participation (e.g., dependent care, disability needs, tuition costs, transportation and accommodation).
- The maximum duration of an agreement with a participant is 40 weeks.
How do I apply?
As part of the application process, it is necessary for you to receive an employment assessment and develop a Return to Work Action Plan with a case manager. The case manager's decision is required before Employment Nova Scotia can assess your application.
If you are interested in this program, the first step is to visit a Nova Scotia Works Centre in your local area who will advise you on your options and help you with your Self-Employment application process.
Have questions? Reach out to our SEB Development Officer.
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