Short Term Enterprise Allowance

Short Term Enterprise Allowance

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

Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) scheme, is a Department of Social Protection Scheme which supports individuals who are in receipt of qualifying social welfare payments to become self-employed.

If you take part in the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme you can keep a percentage of your social welfare payment for up to 2 years. 

Clare Local Development Company, through SICAP, administers the application phase of the BTWEA scheme.

To qualify for the BTWEA

  • You must visit with your Social Welfare Caseworker to see if you are eligible to apply for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance. This is the first step that you should take.
  • You must be Getting Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB)* or Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) continuously for at least 9 months (234 days).

If you have been getting either of these payments continuously for 12 months (312 days) immediately before BTWEA, you can have a maximum of 30 days off the Live Register during this time), or

  • You must be in receipt of One Parent Family Payment, Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance, Widows Pension for 12 months, or
  • You must be in receipt of Illness Benefit for 3 years.

Note: The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme is a two year scheme with 100% entitlement in year one and 75% in year two.

 

For more information visit Welfare.ie or Citizens Information