Ontario Self Employment Benefits (formerly SEB)

Bruce CFDC in partnership with the Business Enterprise Centre of Owen Sound, under contract with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), delivers this income support program for new business ventures. This is a program that assists participants with information and resources to develop their business concept, and to formulate a complete business plan.

The Ontario Self Employment Benefits program provides advice, counseling, business training and financial support to eligible participants who wish to start a full-time business. As an MTCU program, those approved for Ontario Self Employment Benefits will currently receive $423 per week income support while they start a new, full-time business. The MTCU retains the sole authority to approve or decline these requests for assistance. This is a grant program and is not repayable.

Who can apply for SEB?

Job seekers who are unemployed can apply to participate if they meet one of the following conditions:

• They established a claim for Employment Insurance benefits or their Employment Insurance benefit period ended within the past three years.
• They established a claim for Employment Insurance maternity or paternity benefits and were paid benefits within the past five years, and are re-entering the labour force after having left it to care for newborn or newly adopted children.

Other factors influencing eligibility and approval of applicants include:

• Be legally entitled to work in Canada. Has not been an SEB participant within the past five years.
• Has developed or has agreed to develop a business plan acceptable to the MTCU showing potential for long term self-sufficiency.
• Having the ability to make a personal investment in the business of at least 25% of the SEB program benefit in cash or other equity related to the business operation.
• Starting a new business or taking over an existing business in which there was no prior ownership, and agree to work full-time on the business while in receipt of SEB.
• Starting a business that will be full-time and non-seasonal, that demonstrates self-sufficiency after SEB expire.

Bruce CFDC has been involved in the delivery of the SEB program since 1986. Over 400 participants have been provided guidance and assistance with a success rate well in excess of the provincial success average. Participants rate this as an excellent program and one, which should be investigated for eligibility.