Employment Insurance special benefits for the self-employed

As of January 31, self-employed Canadians are able to register for the Employment Insurance (EI) program, which will extend to them maternity, parental, sickness and compassionate care benefits, collectively called special benefits. The Fairness for the Self?Employed Act extends EI special benefits to self-employed Canadians. This measure responds to the Government’s 2008 pledge to help provide improved economic security and support for all those who are self-employed. With these changes, self-employed Canadians will be able to voluntarily opt into the EI program and receive special benefits. Overall, the special benefits for self-employed individuals mirror those currently available to salaried employees under the EI program.

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For more information on the Employment Insurance program, visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca/self_employed_workers.