Bird’s Eye View

Employment insurance for the self-employed

I was asked recently about claiming Employment Insurance (EI) benefits as a self-employed person. Here are the basics of how to apply, how much you will have to pay and under what conditions you can claim benefits. Find more information directly on the Service Canada website.

Since January 2011 in B.C., self-employed people can access EI special benefits, specifically maternity benefits, parental benefits, sickness benefits, family caregiver benefits and compassionate care benefits.

How to apply?

In order to be eligible for EI benefits as a self-employed person, you first register online for the program, and then pay EI premiums. You can apply for special benefits 12 months after your confirmed registration date.

NB. There are some people who are not eligible to apply for these benefits, so contact Service Canada to confirm eligibility.

How much will you pay?

Your EI premiums will be calculated based on your income tax and benefit return for the year in which you apply. CRA will confirm the amount of your premiums based on the self-employed income you report on your tax return.

How can you claim?

(From the Service Canada website ) After 12 months a self-employed person can claim these special benefits if:

You have reduced the amount of time devoted to your business by more than 40% because:

your child was born;
you are caring for your newborn or adopted child or children;
you are ill, injured, or in quarantine; or
you need to provide care or support to a gravely ill family member;

And, you have decreased the amount of time you spend on your business by more than 40% for at least one week, and you have earned a minimum amount of self-employed earnings during the calendar year preceding the year you submit a claim.

Additionally:

for compassionate care benefit claims – you have to provide medical proof showing that a gravely ill family member who is at risk of dying within 26 weeks needs your care or support,
for EI sickness claims – you have to provide a medical certificate as proof that you are unable to work because of illness, injury, or quarantine,
for EI maternity or parental benefit claims – you have to provide the expected date of birth of the child and the actual birth date once it has occurred, or the official placement date in the case of adoption.

Employment insurance for the self-employed

I was asked recently about claiming Employment Insurance (EI) benefits as a self-employed person. Here are the basics of how to apply, how much you will have to pay and under what conditions you can claim benefits. Find more information directly on the Service Canada website.

Since January 2011 in B.C., self-employed people can access EI special benefits, specifically maternity benefits, parental benefits, sickness benefits, family caregiver benefits and compassionate care benefits.

How to apply?

In order to be eligible for EI benefits as a self-employed person, you first register online for the program, and then pay EI premiums. You can apply for special benefits 12 months after your confirmed registration date.

NB. There are some people who are not eligible to apply for these benefits, so contact Service Canada to confirm eligibility.

How much will you pay?

Your EI premiums will be calculated based on your income tax and benefit return for the year in which you apply. CRA will confirm the amount of your premiums based on the self-employed income you report on your tax return.

How can you claim?

(From the Service Canada website ) After 12 months a self-employed person can claim these special benefits if:

You have reduced the amount of time devoted to your business by more than 40% because:

your child was born;
you are caring for your newborn or adopted child or children;
you are ill, injured, or in quarantine; or
you need to provide care or support to a gravely ill family member;

And, you have decreased the amount of time you spend on your business by more than 40% for at least one week, and you have earned a minimum amount of self-employed earnings during the calendar year preceding the year you submit a claim.

Additionally:

for compassionate care benefit claims – you have to provide medical proof showing that a gravely ill family member who is at risk of dying within 26 weeks needs your care or support,
for EI sickness claims – you have to provide a medical certificate as proof that you are unable to work because of illness, injury, or quarantine,
for EI maternity or parental benefit claims – you have to provide the expected date of birth of the child and the actual birth date once it has occurred, or the official placement date in the case of adoption.

Employment insurance for the self-employed

I was asked recently about claiming Employment Insurance (EI) benefits as a self-employed person. Here are the basics of how to apply, how much you will have to pay and under what conditions you can claim benefits. Find more information directly on the Service Canada website.

Since January 2011 in B.C., self-employed people can access EI special benefits, specifically maternity benefits, parental benefits, sickness benefits, family caregiver benefits and compassionate care benefits.

How to apply?

In order to be eligible for EI benefits as a self-employed person, you first register online for the program, and then pay EI premiums. You can apply for special benefits 12 months after your confirmed registration date.

NB. There are some people who are not eligible to apply for these benefits, so contact Service Canada to confirm eligibility.

How much will you pay?

Your EI premiums will be calculated based on your income tax and benefit return for the year in which you apply. CRA will confirm the amount of your premiums based on the self-employed income you report on your tax return.

How can you claim?

(From the Service Canada website ) After 12 months a self-employed person can claim these special benefits if:

You have reduced the amount of time devoted to your business by more than 40% because:

your child was born;
you are caring for your newborn or adopted child or children;
you are ill, injured, or in quarantine; or
you need to provide care or support to a gravely ill family member;

And, you have decreased the amount of time you spend on your business by more than 40% for at least one week, and you have earned a minimum amount of self-employed earnings during the calendar year preceding the year you submit a claim.

Additionally:

for compassionate care benefit claims – you have to provide medical proof showing that a gravely ill family member who is at risk of dying within 26 weeks needs your care or support,
for EI sickness claims – you have to provide a medical certificate as proof that you are unable to work because of illness, injury, or quarantine,
for EI maternity or parental benefit claims – you have to provide the expected date of birth of the child and the actual birth date once it has occurred, or the official placement date in the case of adoption.