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Ontario Self-Employment Benefits Program

The Ontario Self-Employment Benefits (OSEB) Program provides a competitive edge for those wishing to start their own business. The program provides eligible unemployed applicants, selected through competition, with comprehensive business training, practical advisory assistance and up to one year of income support.

The formal training phase of the program focuses on all aspects of business preparation and planning. Upon graduation from the training phase, each participant would have completed a comprehensive business plan for his or her particular business venture. In the remaining ten months of the program, participants receive ongoing business counselling and income support for the start-up and development of their business.

Who Can Apply

The program is available to residents in the Toronto area who are unemployed and eligible for, or collecting, Employment Insurance Benefits.

A provision is made for eligible 'reach back' individuals who are currently unemployed and whose EI benefits ended within the past three years (or whose benefits started within the past five years for maternity or paternity benefits.) To determine if you are eligible for the program as a 'reach back' client, contact the Human Resource Assessment Centre nearest you.

Applicants must agree to make a full-time commitment to their business, complete all the requirements of the OSEB Program and establish a viable business.

How the OSEB Program Works

Phase I - Registration and Orientation:
Contact your local Assessment Centre (AC) to make an appointment. Your AC will evaluate your needs and prepare a Return-to-Work-Action Plan indicating their approval of your pursuing self employment as a career option. Your AC will advise you of future OSEB Information/Orientation Sessions to be conducted by the Centre of Entrepreneurship and other Toronto OSEB coordinators. Participants at these orientation session will learn about the program, what is required in the application process, and decide whether or not they wish to apply and be considered for the program.
Phase II -Self-Assessment and Selection:
Participants progressing into this phase are provided with the guidance and assistance required to assess the validity of their business idea, to make decisions about their personal effectiveness and to j udge their own suitability for self-employment.
Employment Ontario makes the final selection of successful participants out of this phase for formal entry into the OSEB Program.
Phase III – Training & Self-Employment Development:
This phase lasting 8 weeks, is the official start of the program, and provides practical, skill-based instruction on adult learning principles, such as workshop training, one-on-one counselling, and individual research providing a balanced learning approach.
Instruction focuses on all aspects of business planning and operations for a new business. Upon graduation from this training phase, each participant would have completed a well-prepared, comprehensive business plan for his or her particular business venture.
Phase IV - On-Going Business Support:
This final phase of the program lasting 10 months is designed to provide advisory support and follow-up business counselling to participants during the start-up and development of their new businesses. Advisors maintain regular contact with the program participants, visiting their place of business when necessary, to monitor the progress of each business.

The OSEB Record of Success

Since it’s inception over 18 years ago, the Centre of Entrepreneurship in successfully conducting the OSEB Program has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs in starting up new businesses in a variety of sectors in Toronto. Our clients come from all age, gender and demographic groups.