Objective

The Self-Employment Assistance Program Part l provides financial assistance to eligible participants, to help them start their own business. The Self-Employment Assistance Program allows participants to concentrate on making their business successful.

Program Details

Eligibility

To qualify for the Self-Employment Assistance Program individuals must be:
• A member of Six Nations of the Grand River.
• Unemployed
• Registered with Grand River Employment and Training.

Criteria

Participants must identify a business opportunity and, with the assistance of business development resources, develop a business plan.
• Participants must devote at least 35 hours per week to implement the business.
• Have no previous participation in a self-employment assistance activity, funded by GREAT.
• Present a business plan that is approved by GREAT.
• Agree to work full-time on the business, while receiving financial assistance.
• A relatively new business or start-up may apply for assistance.
• The business may be seasonal, in nature. However, the participant must demonstrate that they are devoting their efforts, full-time, to the business.
• Participants that are in receipt of $5,000 capital assets must meet eligible expenditure guidelines set out by GRETI. A capital asset is incurred to purchase goods and services that will remain useful at the end of the project. Examples of capital assets are: equipment rental/leasing/purchase (computer, printer, computer software, etc), furniture
• Team Leader and ETC must ensure that all capital purchases meet the eligible expenditures guidelines set out by GRETI. Quotes or receipts must be provided to the ETC to determine eligible expenditures.
Participants are encouraged to offer a product or service:
• That a local company uses, on a regular basis.
• For which there is a high or increasing demand.
• That would be a more efficient way to produce or lower the cost of an existing product or service.
• That uses scrap or waste from other businesses to produce a product; thereby providing product/service that is environmentally friendly.
• That is a new product.
• By repackaging an existing product and reselling it.

There are certain business situations considered not suitable, which include:
• A business controlled by someone other than the person receiving financial assistance; and a business where revenue is mainly from commissions, such as sales commissions.
• A business that is not assessed to meet labour market supply and demand.

Budget

EI/CRF

Duration

Up to a maximum of fifty-two (52) weeks and up to an additional twenty-six (26) weeks, for persons with disabilities.

Program Supports

Participants who have an active EI claim may continue to receive EI benefits, for the duration of their benefit entitlement, if they have been approved under Section 25 of the EI Act. Participants may receive a top up to their EI benefit and may receive a supplementary allowance, consisting of day care and travel.
• Unemployed participants who are not insured will receive a training allowance and may be eligible to receive a supplementary allowance, consisting of day care and travel, (depending on availability of CRF funding).
• The training allowance and the supplementary allowance rate are set out in GREAT’s programs and services policy.
• Training allowance and supplementary allowance will depend on a participant’s circumstances and the applicable rates.
• Participants may be eligible to receive a one-time contribution of up to $5,000 for the purchase capital assets
• Special costs for persons with disabilities may be provided, if required

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