The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) gives support to people who have lost their job and want to start their own business.

To qualify you must be getting Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) or Jobseeker’s Benefit Self-Employed (JBSE).

There is no qualifying period, which means you do not need to have been getting JB or JBSE for a certain period of time. However, you will not qualify if you are getting JB or JBSE and working part-time.

The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance is paid instead of your JB or JBSE for a maximum of 9 months. It ends when your entitlement to JB or JBSE ends (that is at either 9 or 6 months).

To qualify for the short Term Enterprise Allowance you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Have been awarded Job Seekers Benefit
• Be in receipt of One Parent Family Payment, Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance, Widows Pension for 12 months
• Be in receipt of Illness Benefit for 3 years

You should visit with your Social Welfare Caseworker to see if you are eligible to apply for the Short Term Enterprise Allowance. This is the first step that you should take.

Once eligibility is determined, an application for STEA can be made directly to DSP. Please note, that the enterprise support team at CLDC are happy to help you complete your STEA application.

For more information visit Welfare.ie or Citizensinformation.ie