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Self-employed workers: find out how Employment Insurance works, who can contribute, what benefits are available, and how much you can receive.

In freelancer groups, many questions come up about insurance, including this one: “If I am no longer employed by a company and I get sick, will my income still be protected by employment insurance?” This concern is completely valid, because no one’s health is guaranteed. The good news is that the Canadian government has created an Employment Insurance program specifically designed for self-employed workers. Let’s look at how it works and what it covers. <h3>How Does the Employment Insurance Program for Self-Employed Workers Work?</h3> The program is voluntary: you are not required to contribute if you do not want to benefit from it. To register, you must enter into an agreement with the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC). Log in to My Service Canada Account, go to the Employment Insurance section, and follow the instructions to sign up. Your contributions will then be collected annually when you file your income tax return. Once registered, you must wait twelve months before you can apply for benefits. You can submit a claim if you are unable to continue your activities or if the amount of time you can dedicate to them decreases by more than 40%. Several situations may allow you to access benefits: an illness, an injury, the birth or adoption of a child, or the need to care for a critically ill loved one or someone receiving end-of-life care. A first payment will be issued approximately 28 days after you submit your application. In addition, to continue receiving benefits, you will need to complete a report every two weeks to confirm that you are still eligible. If your situation changes, you are also responsible for informing Service Canada. Please note: although most self-employed workers are eligible for the program, some, such as <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/canada-pension-plan-cpp-employment-insurance-ei-rulings/cpp-ei-explained/canada-pension-plan-employment-insurance-explained.html">barbers and hairdressers</a>, cannot register. Contact the Canada Revenue Agency directly to obtain information specific to your personal situation. Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for the Employment Insurance program for self-employed workers, you must meet certain conditions: <ul> <li> be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada; </li> <li> have self-employed professional status, meaning you operate your own business or control more than 40% of the voting shares; </li> <li> reduce the time spent working in your business by more than 40% for at least one week; </li> <li> have net income above the required minimum. This threshold varies from year to year. In 2026, you needed to have earned at least $9,254 in net self-employment income during the 2025 year. </li> </ul> However, this support program is still not widely known, and only <a href="https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2026-03-24/travailleurs-autonomes/sans-filet-face-a-la-maladie.php">2%</a> of self-employed workers in Quebec contribute to it. How Much Does It Cost? The contribution amount is based on your annual net income and the rate in effect. For example, in 2026, Canadian self-employed workers registered in the program must pay $1.63 for every $100 earned, up to a maximum contribution of $1,123.07. However, this rate is different for freelancers in Quebec, who must pay $1.30 for every $100 earned, up to a maximum of $895.70 in 2026. This difference is due to the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP): since certain benefits are covered by the provincial government, Quebec residents contribute less than residents of other provinces. If the program no longer suits your needs, you can request to withdraw. If you entered into the agreement with the CEIC less than 60 days ago, no fees will apply. After that period, you will have to pay your contributions until December 31 of the year in which you withdraw. However, please note that if you have already received benefits in the past, you are required to continue making payments. You can no longer withdraw from the program. What Benefits Are Available? Six different situations are covered by Employment Insurance for self-employed workers. You may therefore receive: <ul> <li> maternity benefits if you are a Canadian woman living outside Quebec and you are pregnant or have recently given birth. As mentioned above, <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/freelancer-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-maternity-leave-in-quebec">maternity leave</a> for self-employed workers in Quebec is covered provincially. </li> <li> parental benefits if you have recently welcomed a child into your family. Once again, an exception applies to Quebec residents. </li> <li> sickness benefits for up to 26 weeks if medical reasons prevent you from working. </li> <li> family caregiver benefits for children if you cannot work because you need to care for a critically ill or injured child under the age of 18. </li> <li> family caregiver benefits for adults if you cannot work because you need to care for a critically ill or injured person over the age of 18. </li> <li> compassionate care benefits if you are supporting someone receiving end-of-life care and this prevents you from working. </li> </ul> To receive any of these benefits, you will need to provide supporting documentation to the government. How Much Can You Receive? The Canadian government pays you the equivalent of 55% of your annual net income from the previous year, up to a maximum amount that changes each year. In 2026, this amount is $729 per week. Do you earn both freelance income and employment income? You can combine the benefits you are entitled to under each status in order to protect both sources of income. You should also know that if you continue working while receiving benefits, you must inform Service Canada. Any income earned could reduce the weekly amount paid to you. Employment Insurance for self-employed workers exists, but it is still not well known or widely used. Yet contributing to this program gives you a safety net for life’s unexpected events: an illness, a new caregiving role, or the arrival of a child. The best approach is to register well before you need it, since a twelve-month waiting period applies before you can submit a claim. Take the time to assess whether this program fits your situation. This small act of planning could make a major difference when the time comes. <h3>Key Takeaways About Employment Insurance for Self-Employed Workers</h3> <ul> <li> The program is voluntary: you must register with the CEIC to benefit from it. </li> <li> You must wait at least twelve months after registering before submitting your first benefit claim. </li> <li> Benefits cover six situations: maternity, parental leave, illness, family caregiver benefits for children, family caregiver benefits for adults, and end-of-life care. </li> <li> You can receive 55% of your net income, up to a maximum of $729 per week in 2026. </li> <li> Contribution rates differ by province: Quebec residents pay less because of the QPIP. </li> <li> If you earn both freelance and employment income, you can combine both types of benefits. </li> <li> Continuing to work while receiving benefits is allowed, but you must inform Service Canada of any income earned. </li> </ul> <h3>About the Author</h3> Roxane has been writing for as long as she can remember and always dreamed of making a living from her words. Today, as a web writer, editor, and author, she can proudly say: mission accomplished.

Roxane