GrantEntrepreneurship ProgramNewfoundland and LabradorStart a Business
Self-Employment Assistance – Individuals
Self-Employment Assistance is here to help you start your own business by providing financial and entrepreneurial support.
Offered by Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
Amount
No fixed amount
Quick eligibility check
Years in business
No minimum stated
Employees
No limit stated
Revenue
No limit stated
Legal structure
No requirement stated
Location
Newfoundland and Labrador
Who can apply
The applicant must:
- be an unemployed individual,
- have a current EI claim or for whom a benefit period is established or whose benefit period has ended within the previous 60 months, 3. be a resident of the Newfoundland & Labrador province, 4. be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident legally entitled to work in Canada, 5. participate in employment plan development with referral to Self-employment Coordinator, 6. have a preliminary business concept validated by Self-employment Coordinator, 7. have an Employment Plan that identifies Self-employment Assistance as an appropriate intervention for them. The self-employment business shall be:
- a business that will not result in putting another individual out of business,
- full-time, which means participants must devote at least 35 hours per week to developing and/or implementing their business plan. Fewer hours may be approved for a person with a disability that necessitates part-time employment,
- either a new business, or an existing business in which the eligible participant had no prior ownership.
About the funding
Extended Benefits:
- If you are currently receiving Employment Insurance benefits, you can keep receiving them until your benefit period ends. After that, you might be eligible for a living allowance until your Self-Employment Assistance agreement ends.
- If you’re not receiving Employment Insurance benefits, you might be eligible for financial help with living expenses.
Financial Assistance:
Show all funding details
In special cases, we may help cover costs related to your participation, like dependent care, disability needs, transportation, and accommodation.
Duration:
- The maximum duration of an agreement is 52 weeks. However, individuals with a disability may be eligible for an extension up to 78 weeks, in consultation with the Department, if the disability impacts their ability to participate full time in the program.
Once your employment plan is complete, you will be referred to a Self- Employment Assistance Coordinator. They will review your business concept, help you develop a business plan, and provide you with guidance on starting your business.
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital | Grant | Individual Indigenous entrepreneurs may receive up to $99,999 in funding assistance and eligible Indigenous community businesses may receive up to $250,000 (non-repayable equity contribution | Open |
| Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur | Grant | $15,000 per internship unit (4 to 6 months), half from the partner organization and half from Mitacs | Open |
