Short-Term Enterprise Allowance

bumpitybump

Hi all,

Just found out that my employer is likely to be qoing into liquidation soon.
Bit shook to be honest and not too familiar with the social welfare scene.
Had a quick look on welfare.ie and understand I've to sign on for JB as soon as the hammer falls.

My query is about the S.T.E.A. scheme - I would be keen to start something up if possible, wouldn't be too happy about waiting for another job opportunity, the way things are in my industry.

So... does it take long to get Job Seekers Benefit sorted out?
Does it take long to work through the S.T.E.A. system.
Say if I sign on tomorrow, would I be waiting days, weeks or months before I could start my own business under S.T.E.A.?
Oh and regarding redundancy, presume I'll be waiting a long time for it in a liquidation scenario??

Thanks in advance for any info.

eastbono

bumpitybump wrote: »

Hi all,

Just found out that my employer is likely to be qoing into liquidation soon.
Bit shook to be honest and not too familiar with the social welfare scene.
Had a quick look on welfare.ie and understand I've to sign on for JB as soon as the hammer falls.

My query is about the S.T.E.A. scheme - I would be keen to start something up if possible, wouldn't be too happy about waiting for another job opportunity, the way things are in my industry.

So... does it take long to get Job Seekers Benefit sorted out?
Does it take long to work through the S.T.E.A. system.
Say if I sign on tomorrow, would I be waiting days, weeks or months before I could start my own business under S.T.E.A.?
Oh and regarding redundancy, presume I'll be waiting a long time for it in a liquidation scenario??

Thanks in advance for any info.

Ok jobseekers benefit should not take very long to be processed depending on the office and the workload approx 2 weeks in a good situation. When you go to sign on for jsb ask them for a form for stea and fill that out and return it asap. Stea lasts for the duration of your jsb claim. You may have to put together a business plan for stea and see the jobs facilitator.

I cant answer any of your question about redundancy.

You can download the stea form from the link below and have it completed.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/BackToWork/Pages/STEA.aspx

and download the application form for jsb for the following link and have it completed
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/JobseekerSupports/JobseekersBenefit/Pages/jb.aspx#How_to_apply4 Form UP1 as it is a new claim and not a repeat claim.
You will need 2xphoto Id e.g. passport & drivers licence and proof of address e.g. recent utility bill in your name. P45 is also needed or a letter from employer stating your employment has been terminated.

bumpitybump

Appreciate the quick reply eastbono, have you gone through the S.T.E.A. system yourself?

eastbono

bumpitybump wrote: »

Appreciate the quick reply eastbono, have you gone through the S.T.E.A. system yourself?

No I work in the system.

bumpitybump

An even bigger thanks so, appreciate the links.
Do you know a rough timescale for assessment of the S.T.E.A. application?

There would be a small window of opportunity in terms of this startup (there would be the immediate potential of me taking 2 more off the dole too) so it would be really helpful if you had an idea how soon they are assessed.

eastbono

bumpitybump wrote: »

An even bigger thanks so, appreciate the links.
Do you know a rough timescale for assessment of the S.T.E.A. application?

There would be a small window of opportunity in terms of this startup (there would be the immediate potential of me taking 2 more off the dole too) so it would be really helpful if you had an idea how soon they are assessed.

Tbh I wouldnt have any idea of how soon it would be assessed. Stea is normally sent to a different location to the local office and I have never had to follow up on a case.

Once you have your application in... get a name for the jobs facilitator from your local office and a number and follow it up and stress the point of being able to take people off the live register.

You should start putting your business plan together asap.

What part of the country are you in?

P.s. my daughter refers to my boards activity on state benefits as doing my civic duty.

cee_jay

OP, if you live in a Partnership area, you need to apply for STEA through them. They will go through the business plan and the like with you, and they approve the project (or not) as the case may be.
They then send the application to the Job Facilitator.
If you don't live in a Partnership area, you apply directly to the Job Facilitator.
As long as you have your business plan done up, registered with Revenue as self-employed, and the Partnership/Facilitator are happy to approve the business, then the process doesn't take too long.

bumpitybump

In the Dublin area, is there a website/map of partnership areas?

eastbono

bumpitybump wrote: »

In the Dublin area, is there a website/map of partnership areas?

I have googled partnership and there are a lot of partnerships in Dublin. Your jobs facilitator will also help to fine tune your business plan.

p.s. you do not have to register with revenue for self-emplyoment until such time as you are accepted on the stea.

I have been reading up on stea and you may also be able to access funds from TAT or from County Enterprise Board. I would think your jobs facilitator would be able to give you more info in this.

threadneedle

Hi

Just wondering how did this work out? I'm in a similar situation at the moment. In January, I'll be made redundant but will be able to get some work if I'm get set up and ready to go. I rang the social welfare and made an appointment to talk to the facilitator but that won't be until January 8th. I'm kind of worried what i should do.

I'm going to meet an accountant to find out if sole trader or limited company is better. Will it affect my chances of getting approval if I have set up as a sole trader or limited company or even if I have set up before I meet the facilitator.

I don't want to delay in getting the ball rolling as there is some work in my area and I need to be ready.

Thanks

phoenix999

threadneedle wrote: »

Hi

Just wondering how did this work out? I'm in a similar situation at the moment. In January, I'll be made redundant but will be able to get some work if I'm get set up and ready to go. I rang the social welfare and made an appointment to talk to the facilitator but that won't be until January 8th. I'm kind of worried what i should do.

I'm going to meet an accountant to find out if sole trader or limited company is better. Will it affect my chances of getting approval if I have set up as a sole trader or limited company or even if I have set up before I meet the facilitator.

I don't want to delay in getting the ball rolling as there is some work in my area and I need to be ready.

Thanks

Short term enterprise allowance applicants are fast tracked. However, DO NOT register for income tax etc. until your unemployment benefit is approved. Otherwise they will presume you are trading in the side.

bumpitybump

Going great, had enough time to put in the groundwork so that it was a smooth transition for the client base. Lost one or two clients at the time but they came back when phone lines and full service were restored etc

I have a full time admin/accounts person (who had been signing on for a while) so making use of the prsi exemption. Have two more part time employees and I'm looking to take on a full time designer, as I'm currently working ungodly hours to cope with workload from existing customer base.

The first thing I did (and would recommend to you) was a start your own business course, makes you seriously examine what you're about to do and indeed whether you are the right type of person to do it.

Finance is a major factor, credit unions are expensive but accessible when starting off. I found I had to invest heavily in some replacement equipment, wasn't planning to but it was unavoidable. At first the bank said absolutely not, don't take no for an answer, after a surprise visit to the manager and an hour spent bending his ear I got the answer I was looking for... persistence works!

I found the s.w. service very helpful, but it's up to you to keep pushing applications forward.

I hope all works out for you, never give up and you'll succeed.

threadneedle

Thanks for the fast replies.

@bumpitybump :great everything is working out.

I've a lot of thinking and organising to do over the next few weeks......