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Self-Employment Program (SEP)


Overview: April 2, 2012

Effective: April 02, 2012

The Self-Employment Program (SEP) is intended to assist BC Employment Assistance (BCEA) clients who either have a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation, or meet the Persons with Persistent Multiple Barriers (PPMB) criteria in establishing and operating a self-employment enterprise.

The SEP is a program of business deductions and exemptions for the use of eligible BCEA clients who are, or wish to become, self-employed.  The program exempts specific business-related expenses and assets in determining clients' earnings and monthly eligibility for income or disability assistance.  It is intended to help PWD and PPMB family units in a wide range of self-employment situations, from businesses that provide full-time employment and have business loans, to enterprises that are part-time and generate low earnings on an occasional or seasonal basis. 

The SEP is distinct from self-employment service options available through the Employment Program of British Columbia that may be available to eligible PWD and PPMB clients who have been assessed as suitable for and needing these services to become financially independent or to reduce dependency on BCEA.  [See Policy for more details.]