Affected by downsizing? Employment Insurance (EI) benefits recipients pursuing self-employment may be eligible for the Self-Employment Benefit (SEB) Program that we deliver on behalf of Employment Ontario. To facilitate the transition to self-employment, the SEB Program provides income support, training and consultation to qualified EI recipients who have a viable business idea. Specifically, GCFDC provides:

• Program Information
  
• Program Orientation
  
• An eight-week business plan development workshop session
  
• Mentoring and business counseling for qualified participants.

Participants receive agreed-upon financial assistance in the form of income support from Employment Ontario while developing and implementing their business plan. Income support is provided for up to 40 weeks. Participants are required to provide monthly income statements and reports on the status of their business to GCFDC throughout the period of income support.

The Self-Employment Benefit Program is funded by Employment Ontario.

   Employment Ontario programs are funded in part by the Government of Canada

The OSEBP is delivered by the Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation in partnership with the 1000 Islands CDC