Benefits for self-employed people
Employment Insurance (EI) has a program for self-employed people that provides special benefits when they need time away from their business to care for themselves, their children or other family members.
If you qualify, you could receive financial support of up to 55% of your earnings, to a maximum amount of $695 per week in 2025.
Are you considered self-employed?
If you run your own business, or control more than 40% of the corporation’s voting shares, you’re considered self-employed.
If you’re self-employed and an employee
If you’re self-employed and also receive insurable earnings from an employer, both employment and self-employment may be combined to increase your benefit rate.
Insurable earnings include most of the different types of compensation from employment, such as wages, tips, bonuses and commissions. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) determines what types of earnings are insurable.
Types of special benefits for self-employed people
If you’re participating in the EI program as a self-employed person, there are 6 types of special benefits available to you.
Maternity benefits
Maternity benefits are only available to the person who is away from work because they're pregnant or have recently given birth. These benefits can't be shared between parents.
The person receiving maternity benefits may also be entitled to parental benefits.
If you live in Quebec
The Province of Quebec is responsible for providing maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits to its residents. Visit the Québec Parental Insurance Plan for more information.
Parental benefits
Parental benefits are available to the parents of a newborn or newly adopted child. These benefits can be shared between parents.
If you live in Quebec
The Province of Quebec is responsible for providing maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits to its residents. Visit the Québec Parental Insurance Plan for more information.
Sickness benefits
Sickness benefits can provide you with up to 26 weeks of financial assistance if you can't work for medical reasons.
Family caregiver benefits for children
Family caregiver benefits for children provide financial assistance while you're away from work to provide care for or support a critically ill or injured child under the age of 18. These benefits can be shared between family members.
Family caregiver benefits for adults
Family caregiver benefits for adults provide financial assistance while you're away from work to provide care for or support a critically ill or injured person 18 years or older. These benefits can be shared between family members.
Compassionate care benefits
Compassionate care benefits are available while you're away from work to provide end‑of‑life care. End-of-life-care is defined as providing care or support to a person who has a serious medical condition with a significant risk of death within 26 weeks (6 months). These benefits can be shared between family members.
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