Ontario Self Employment Benefit (OSEB) Program
Fact Sheet
Call: 905-668-4141 / e-mail: essentialseb@bellnet.ca
Program
Specifics
Financial Support
OSEB Eligibility
Business
Eligibility
Applicant
 42 weeks in total
 7 weeks in-classroom training focused on business start-up (hrs. vary 9:30 to
5:30 or 12:30 to 5:30 … 4 or 5 days per wk.)
 35 weeks start-up support (coaching) while running the business full-time (is
expected to generate revenue from the business during this time)
 receive financial support (EI) for the duration of the program
 five program intakes per year, approximately 25 clients accepted per intake
 accepted applicants will receive EI - $423 per week (before deductions) for 42
weeks
 may be eligible to receive dependant/daycare funding during the inclassroom training
 may be eligible to receive travel funding if residence is in excess of 24 km of
Essential Communications
 may be eligible to receive Disability Needs funding
 has an active EI claim or is Reachback (has had a claim within the past 3
years or 5 years if it was a parental leave)
 not employed full-time (may not quit a job to apply to the program)
 able to work part-time (less than 20 hrs. per wk.) in a job not related to
business provided the hours do not interfere with attendance in the program or
the launch of the business
 has not started the business (not currently running the business)
 the proposed business may be a hobby converted into a business
 allowed to register business (although we discourage this if not already
registered)
 not to have made significant money from the business
 previous experience owning a business okay – as long as they are starting
a different business at this time
 available to attend all in-classroom training and coaching, as well as run
business minimum of 35 hours per week for a continuous 42 weeks without
vacation breaks
 no franchises
 no non-profit businesses
 no home daycares
 no commission-based sales businesses
 no multi-level marketing business
 need zoning and permits in order before proposing a home based
catering/food-based business
 may purchase an existing business
 must be full-time, year-round (if seasonal applicant must have alternative
business activities to generate income in the off-season)
 must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Page 1
Ontario Self Employment Benefit (OSEB) Program
Fact Sheet
Call: 905-668-4141 / e-mail: essentialseb@bellnet.ca
Qualifications
Applicant
Suitability
Profession
Business Plan
Location of
Residence
Location of
Business
Business Idea
Start-up Funds
Recent
GovernmentFunded Training
 not a medical doctor or chartered accountant (other accounting
designations considered)
 possesses the required certification or qualifications when required by law
 possesses skills, transferable skills, and/or experience - training related
to the business
 requires business start-up support and training
 not completed with the assistance of outside paid professional expertise
 prefer applicants to reside in Durham Region (but applicants from outside the
area are allowed to apply here if planning to run a business within Durham
Region)
 business does not have to operate within Durham Region
 must be prepared to research potential markets during the application process
to determine the viability of the business
 has or will be able to access enough funds to start up and launch the business
 financial viability, poor credit rating or bankruptcy will be evaluated by
Essential Communications on an individual, case-by-case basis
 must provide proof of personal investment or evidence of ability to access
necessary funds when submitting application
 must provide evidence of completing an exhaustive job search subsequent to
previous program before applying to OSEB
(eg. Second Career)
Severance
Package/Pay
Continuance
Partnerships
Previous SelfEmployment
Program
To Apply:
Service Agency
Referral letter and
ESP
 Severance Package may need to be exhausted before eligible for financial
assistance (EI) or could be invested in potential business (may attend OSEB)
 Pay Continuance must have ended and active EI claim established before
eligible to attend OSEB
 (a) may partner with another EI eligible applicant (both need to independently
complete application forms). (b) may partner with a non-EI eligible partner(s)
yet must maintain (minimum) 51% interest in the business
 not participated in within the last 2 years; see applicant suitability (above)
 attend Orientation at Essential Communications Ltd. to begin application
process (Call 905-668-4141 to book a seat)
 must obtain a Referral letter and Employment Service Plan (ESP) from a
Service Agency counsellor (applicant to submit to Essential Communications
with their completed application)
 for full details please see Step By Step For Service Agencies document
Page 2