Job Seekers/Going Self Employed...

Jersuz

Hi there,

After 4 years going in the completely wrong direction in my career (for the weekly 9-5 wage), in the next 5-6 weeks I'm leaving my job of my own accord.

All my qualifications (and passion) are in a completely different field, a field that I have been doing a few nixers in over the last year, and the field that I will be looking to freelance in when I leave.

Long story short, while there are a few bits and pieces of work available to me, financially this won't be a seamless transition, so I know things will be tight for while til I can get up and running.

From a Job seekers benefit perspective, I'm aware that I will be penalised for voluntarily leaving my job, but does anyone have any advice on how I should approach this from a social welfare point of view? I have been through the Jobseekers system before, but should I be rocking up saying "I'm now self employed and looking for my own work, etc?" I have no intention of purposely staying unemployed for 12 months to avail of certain business start up incentives. This is a business I have been working on for the last 9-12 months, so I've been doing things on the side and I want to just get motoring now.

Any advice on an approach would be very welcome.

Thanks

Conall Cernach

Say you're available for full time work. They'll ask why you left your last place voluntarily and they'll probably not pay you for 9 weeks. Then apply for the short term entreprise allowance straight away.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_and_work/short_term_enterprise_allowance.html

If you just want to start being self employed and you are not available for full time work then you will not get any job seekers and therefore not qualify for the allowance.