I have a sole proprietor consulting business that produces significant income for me. I typically work nights and weekends, since I have other (unpaid) projects during the weekday. I have an infant lacking access to other caregivers. Due the COVID19 pandemic, it was difficulty to find child care, especially during the nights and weekends that I work. Due to the pandemic, the family help I had expected was unavailable.
I took parental leave from my (own) business immediately when my child was born, on Jan. 1. 2021. Three months later, a spot was available at a daycare for my child during the day. However, I was still unable to have reliable childcare at night, and was forced to continue leave from my consulting business for another 3 months to July 2021 until I eventually quit my daytime project.
I am planning to claim Self-Employed Family Leave for at least the first 3 months prior to placing my child in daycare. Is it also possible for me to claim Self-Employed Family Leave for the second 3 months of lost income? To be clear, the reasons for that lost income are two-part: no access to childcare providers at night during my consulting hours, and the fact that I had to work at night due to my daytime hours being dedicated to other (unpaid) endeavors.
Thank you very much if you take on this tough question.
