Support for self-employment

The eligibility criteria for the Soutien au travail autonome program are:

• Must be a recipient of employment insurance, social assistance, unemployed without public income support, or in a precarious work situation.
• Must demonstrate motivation to become an entrepreneur, possess relevant experience or skills, and present a written draft of the business project.
• Must commit to working on starting the business for a minimum of 35 hours per week.

Who is eligible?

Eligible types of companies for this grant include individuals receiving employment insurance, social assistance recipients, unemployed individuals without public income support, and workers with precarious status.

• Individuals receiving employment insurance
• Social assistance recipients
• Unemployed individuals without public income support
• Workers with precarious status

Eligible expenses

There are eligible expenses for this grant, including:

• An employment assistance allowance equivalent to the minimum wage in Quebec for 35 hours per week
• Childcare expenses, if applicable

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The candidate must demonstrate motivation to become an entrepreneur, possess relevant experience or skills, present a written draft of the business project, and commit to working on the business startup for a minimum of 35 hours per week.

• Demonstrate motivation to become an entrepreneur.
• Possess relevant experience or skills.
• Present a written draft of the business project.
• Commit to working on the business startup for a minimum of 35 hours per week.

The Support for Self-Employment program has been suspended as of May 1, 2024. Other employment assistance programs may be available for those seeking help.

• Assistance aimed at supporting participants accepted before May 1, 2024, will continue for the duration of their participation.
• Individuals may be eligible for other employment assistance programs to help find and integrate into a job.
• An online application is available for employment assistance services, including evaluation interviews and checking eligibility for programs.
• An alternative application method involves filling out a PDF form and submitting it to a local Services Québec office, either in person or by post.
• For more information regarding available programs, contacting a local Services Québec office is recommended.