News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Program Launch

Self-Employment Benefit for Persons With a Disability

Bathurst, September 29, 2020 – The New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations (NBACBDC) is launching the Self-Employment Benefit for Persons With a Disability (SEB for PWD) program in partnership with WorkingNB from the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (PETL).

Based on the existing Self-Employment Benefit (SEB), the program is accessible through local Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC) and helps unemployed individuals create a job for themselves by starting a new business. The program provides various types of support during the initial development phase of the business, including financial assistance and business counseling, such as ongoing technical advice and monitoring visits by a local CBDC SEB Coordinator.

The new SEB for PWD is a response to the Employment Action Plan for Persons with a Disability by the Government of New Brunswick. It is a solid step towards filling the gap in social programs and a commitment to improving opportunities and self-determination of people with a disability. The program brings a more in-depth analysis and support to persons with a disability by setting up key conditions for the client’s success and business viability. A new Liaison Officer will assist each of the ten (10) CBDC offices in the province to provide the necessary support to clients who want to apply for the new program.

“When a client with a disability wants to apply for the program, some considerations may be raised from the outset before fully embarking on the journey. Starting a business involves many challenges and a person with a disability must have access to adaptive measures to create a winning situation. This can bring the involvement of many stakeholders in the community and I am committed to making the connection with all the required professionals to increase the clients’ progressive success, by implementing the proper accommodations to reach their full potential in building their own business,” said Julie Hachey, Liaison Officer, NBACBDC.

Here are some program specificities:

• Applicant of SEB for PWD must be ready to work part-time at their business at least 25 hours per week.
• Applicant of SEB for PWD must meet with the Liaison Officer in order to assess their needs and obtain support in accessing appropriate individualized resources.
• A business under the SEB for PWD must be in operation for a minimum of 75 consecutive weeks.
• A business under the SEB for PWD must be established in the province of New Brunswick and begin operating within 15 weeks from the moment the contract has been signed.

“In order to connect to the current ecosystem and the community, the NBACBDC found it appropriate to create an Advisory Committee that could take into account the progress of the program and make recommendations throughout the lifetime of the project. This Committee is made up of representatives from Departments, organizations or associations that relate to supporting people with a disability. We are very proud that the CBDC network is expending its expertise to assisting persons living with a disability, which will allow more people to choose entrepreneurship as a career choice,” said Line Doiron, Executive Director, NBACBDC.