Self Employ PEI
Self Employ PEI is an employment program developed to help job seekers who want to launch their own business. This program provides financial support and business counselling to new entrepreneurs during their first year of operation.
Offered by SkillsPEI
Amount
Weekly living allowance or EI benefits, or a combination of the two, during the first year in business; may also be eligible for a $1,000 consulting grant
Quick eligibility check
Who can apply
If you are unemployed and looking for full time employment you are eligible to apply.
- You must be legally authorized to work in Canada (Canadian citizen or permanent resident);
- You must have a current claim for Employment Insurance benefits; or
- You must have a previous EI claim whose benefit period ended within the previous 60 months; or
- An unemployed person who paid, in at least 5 of the last 10 years, employee's premiums that did not entitle the person for a refund (ie. If the person made less than $2000 in earnings in a year, any EI premiums that they would have paid, would be reimbursed);
- You must not have started the operation of your new business prior to program approval;
- Other criteria may apply.
Your business plan must demonstrate that your business will provide the potential for long term viability. There are many types of eligible businesses that qualify for funding: manufacturing, food and beverage, information technology, trades, retail, etc.
About the funding
This program provides financial support and business counselling to new entrepreneurs during their first year of operation.
You will receive a weekly living allowance or EI benefits, or a combination of the two. You may also be eligible for a $1,000 consulting grant.
Similar programs
| Program | Type | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ignition Fund | Grant, Investment, Competition | Up to $25,000 | Open |
| Small Business Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $5,000 | Open |
| Food Product Development Assistance | Grant | Up to $50,000 | Open |
| Future Fisher Program | Subsidy, Grant | Interest relief of up to $4,000 per year for three years, to a maximum contribution of $12,000 (2% per year with Grade 12 or 1% per year without, on loans up to $200,000), plus up to $1,000 per applicant toward training costs, normally cost-shared 50-50 | Open |
