EI special benefits for self-employed people (opting in)

FederalWorkChecked November 6, 2026

If you work for yourself, you are not covered by EI unless you choose to sign up. Opting in lets you get maternity, parental, sickness, compassionate care and family caregiver benefits. You must sign up at least 12 months before you claim, you pay premiums with your tax return, and once you claim you keep paying for as long as you are self-employed.

How much

Up to 55% of your earnings, to a maximum of $729 a week in 2026. Premiums in 2026 are $1.63 per $100 of net self-employed earnings, up to $1,123.07 ($1.30 per $100 and up to $895.70 in Quebec). Up to 15 weeks of maternity, 35 weeks of standard parental per parent (40 shared), 26 weeks of sickness, 26 weeks of compassionate care, 35 weeks of family caregiver benefits for children and 15 for adults.

When it's paid

There is a 1-week waiting period with no pay. Benefits are taxable. Premiums are paid once a year with your income tax return (Schedule 13), on your self-employed earnings for the whole calendar year, starting the year you sign up.

Is opting in worth it for me?

Who qualifies

You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and own your own business, or control more than 40% of your corporation's voting shares
You have entered into an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission, and it has been active for at least 12 months before you claim
You earned at least $9,254 in net self-employed earnings in 2025 to claim in 2026; the minimum is set for each claim year
The time you spend on your business has dropped by more than 40% for at least one week, for one of the covered reasons
In Quebec, maternity, paternity, parental and adoption benefits come from the Québec Parental Insurance Plan instead; only sickness, compassionate care and family caregiver benefits apply

How to apply

Check the numbers first: compare a year of premiums with the benefit you could get
Sign in to My Service Canada Account, find the Employment Insurance section and select “View my agreement status (self-employed)”
Keep the letter that confirms your agreement: the 12 months count from that agreement date
Each year, complete Schedule 13 with your tax return to pay the premiums
When you need time off, apply for EI as soon as the time you spend on your business drops by more than 40%; a late claim may cost you benefits

What to have ready

Social Insurance Number
Your net self-employed earnings for the previous calendar year (from your tax return)
Your agreement confirmation letter
A medical certificate for sickness benefits, or the certificate required for caregiving benefits
Banking information for direct deposit

Add to a printable checklist with other benefits

Common mistakes to avoid

Signing up less than 12 months before a due date or surgery: no benefits can be paid for it
Signing up late in a year without realizing premiums are owed on that whole year's earnings
Forgetting that after a claim you can never withdraw while you stay self-employed
Earning less than the minimum in the year before the claim
In Quebec, opting in for parental benefits that the QPIP already provides

Still being confirmed: Canada.ca does not publish the exact weekly formula for self-employed claimants or the minimum earnings for claims in 2027; check the official estimator and the eligibility page. Check the official page for the latest details.

Official sources

Last checked against these pages on November 6, 2026.

EI maternity and parental benefitsThese EI benefits help parents take time off work for a new baby or adopted child. Quebec residents use the Quebec…
EI sickness benefitsEI sickness benefits pay part of your income when you can't work for medical reasons. You can get up to 26 weeks.
EI caregiving benefits: eligibility and how to applyCheck EI caregiver benefit eligibility, the three types of support, required documents and application steps. Confirm…
EI regular benefitsEI regular benefits give temporary income to people who lose their job through no fault of their own. You must have…

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BenefitCanada is independent and not affiliated with any government. This guide summarizes official sources in plain language; rules and amounts change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.