Self Employment (SE) Program

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Self Employment (SE) program provides entrepreneurial support and financial assistance to Labor Market Development Agreement (LMDA) eligible, unemployed Nova Scotia participants starting their own business. The maximum duration of an agreement with a participant is 40 weeks.

In addition to financial support, the Self Employment (SE) Benefit program offers training and support to help participants start and grow their businesses, including mentorship opportunities and business planning workshops.

Mentorship Opportunities

Participants can access mentorship opportunities through the program’s partnership with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED). CEED provides one-on-one mentorship to help participants develop their business plans, identify potential customers, and develop marketing strategies.

Business Planning Workshops

The Self Employment Benefit Program offers business planning workshops to help participants develop their business plans. These workshops cover a range of topics, including market research, financial planning, and marketing strategies.Workshops are led by experienced business professionals who can provide guidance and feedback as participants develop their plans.

Comments on Funding:

The applicant currently receiving Employment Insurance, may continue to receive his regular Employment Insurance benefits until the end of your benefit period, after which he may be eligible to receive a living allowance to the end of his Self-Employment agreement.

If the applicant is not in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits, he 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).

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident who is currently a resident of Nova Scotia,
be unemployed or considered employed less than 20 hours per week (on average over the past year),
have a current Employment Insurance (EI) claim,
have had an EI claim that ended within the last 60 months,
have been employed with gross insurable earnings of $2000 or higher annually, in at least 5 of the last 10 years,
be starting their own business,
have had received benefits under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB),
work in conjunction with a Self Employment Service Provider who must approve his Business Concept as well as his Business Plan,
contribute $3,300, or 100% of the investment required to launch and operate the business if less than $3,300.

Application Steps:

Applicant must visit a Nova Scotia Works Centre in his local area who will advise him on his options and help him with the Self-Employment application process.

Applicant must 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.

Applicant must submit the application.

Documentation Needed:

The applicant must provide proof to Employment Nova Scotia of the required client contribution amount (a bank statement, loan evidence, statement of ownership, etc.)

Other Things to Note:

Individuals who have received a payment under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are now eligible to apply for employment programs that are delivered by Employment Nova Scotia.

Program Contact:

Self Employment | Employment Nova Scotia

Self Employment Benefit Worksheet Employment Nova Scotia