Self Employment Benefit Program

The Workforce Expansion Self-Employment Benefit Program (a program of the Department of Post Secondary Education Training and Labour) helps unemployed individuals create a job for themselves by starting a new business. The program provides various types of support during the initial development phase of the business including financial assistance, coaching and ongoing technical advice. Coaching is tailored to meet individual needs and can include subjects such as business plan development, accounting and marketing.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant - to be eligible for Self-Employment Benefit, you must meet the following criteria:

• Those who are unemployed and receiving Employment Insurance, or those who have received Employment Insurance within the last 3 years (or within the last 5 years for maternity or parental leave).
• Must be eligible to work in Canada
• Must reside in New Brunswick, or be willing to establish residency in New Brunswick
• Must not be a full-time student
• Must be unemployed
• Must present a business plan
• Must work full-time at the business (at least 35 hours per week)
• Must have decision-making control over the business operation
• Must have 50% or more ownership
• You and/or your family members (spouse, child, parent, brother or sister) cannot own any similar businesses of which your venture might be considered a natural extension
• Must agree to have an acceptable credit review
• Must be able to provide additional capital to the business in form of cash or in-kind contributions at a minimum of 5% of total start-up costs
• Must not have started the business prior to being approved and signing a contract for the Self-Employment Benefit program
• Must not have received funding under the Self-Employment Benefit program within the last five years

Who is Accepted?

A selection committee evaluates each application. The highest ranking applicants are considered for acceptance.

Business Planning

• Financial Template - Click here to fill in your projections and the Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet will automatically do the calculations.
• Building Your Plan - Click here for an overview of the key components required in a business plan.
• Online Business Permits and Licenses Service - BizPal is an online , one-stop service for entrepreneurs that simplifies the process of finding information on business permits and licenses from all levels of government- federal, provincial, and municipal.

Contact:

To learn more about the Self-Employment Benefit Program contact Trudy Garnett at 646-2114 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .