Enterprise Allowance Scheme

[Elliebes]

Not sure where to post this so put it in here. Cant find any relevant posts.

 

Ive been on JSA over 6 months now and my personal advisor is sending me on this scheme. Has anyone had any experience on this scheme before? Or should I avoid it like the plague. I do have some business ideas. I dont know what to expect. Yes Ive been given some information but would like to hear of anyone having any personal experience of trying to set up a business using this allowance?

 

Thanks in advance

[The Carpet Cleaners]

I went on this scheme 12 months ago after being unemployed for 6 months, it is very very good. I am now self employed, and been free of the test trading phase 8 months. If you have a business idea, and would like to go self employed it is one of the best ways to do it.

 

Any advice etc is there to be had by your business advisor, but I will help any way possible, if that is any good to you.

[Elliebes]

Wow thanks for this Ive got a few ideas but dont know which one to pick but I guess you talk this out with your business advisor.......always wanted to work for myself and thanks for the offer of help....

[The Carpet Cleaners]

You are welcome, I went onto new deal, and this gave me the chance to put my business ideas down, set up a business plan, and get everything sorted, still getting JSA and a bit more as I was starting my own business, once all the start up was in place including finance (I got a start up grant from a charity organisation) I then went onto the test trading phase, where I still got JSA and all the money from the business had to either stay in the bank until the end of the test trading, or went back into the business, but it all has to be accountable. I put every penny back into the business, and at the end of the test trading, youradvisor tells you whether or not he/she thinks the business is a viable concern.

 

It is an excellent way to get into business, and you will get working tax credits once you sign off JSA as well, this all keeps you afloat until the business actually provides a good income for you.

[Elliebes]

Well that sorts a lot of my other questions out because I was concerned about being without money, losing my housing benefit , losing my flat etc while I was trying to set up. You've made up my mind now because I was having so many doubts and fears. Thank you so much.

 

 

Did you get put with a mentor? I believe you have to work with a mentor for a couple of months?

[The Carpet Cleaners]

Hi yes, all the way through the system. When you first go onto new deal, you are given a mentor, who will be with you for the whole of the scheme. (mine is still there for advice even now 8 months later). You generally have to see them 2-4 week intervals depending on how busy they are and what stage your business is at. You not only have the help of your mentor, but everyone in the Job centre as well and there is a lot of knowledge there for people who actually want to work. Once they know you are on the new deal self employment route, they will all help you right down to filling in the tax credit form when you sign off.

 

Forgot to mention when you finish test trading, all the money in the business account is yours to help you over the next few weeks, unless like me you use it to build up stock etc.

[Elliebes]

Sorry I forgot to add because Im new to all this........is this the Get Britain Working NEA? or has it been around for a long time? I was talking to someone the other day and they said 'oh that old chestnut...are they bringing THAT back again?' Is it the same thing? But from what you say it sounds good and Im really interested.

[Elliebes]

Hi thanks for your last message that sounds great! I had a dream six years ago of doing my business but when I went to the alloted business places they more or less just left me hanging and I got despondent and gave up on it in the end but it seems like you get a shed load of help this time.

[SueP1944]

Sorry I forgot to add because Im new to all this........is this the Get Britain Working NEA? or has it been around for a long time? I was talking to someone the other day and they said 'oh that old chestnut...are they bringing THAT back again?' Is it the same thing? But from what you say it sounds good and Im really interested.

 

It sounds very much like the same thing that was about in the early 80's.

Mind you in those days you received £50pw for 12 months, all the help you needed and you must remember that the Unemployment Benefit then was £27pw!!!

 

Based on that, the current scheme should be paying £140pw and for 12 months not 16 weeks!!!!

 

Mind you it was abused so much that it was cancelled eventually. Everybody and anybody was on it for their £50, then after 12 months they went back on the Unemployment Benefit of £27. Additionally, because bank lending was quite free and easy, and you were given a minimum of £1000 overdraft, by the end of that 12 months most people had had a good time on the extra benefit plus they had used up the £1000 on holidays, car, and socialising!!

[Elliebes]

I guess this goes without saying but I assume while your on this new deal you still have to be 'actively seeking work' and what if you get offered a job while your on this enterprise scheme ? Do you have to come off it??

 

Im sure they will have measures in place to stop anyone abusing the system now though wont they?

[The Carpet Cleaners]

Once you go onto new deal for the self employed program, you don't have to be actively seeking work, but you do have to progress with the setting up of the business, you still go in every 2 weeks, but the attitude is all different to the cattle market mentallity of the regular JSA signing. It is not the same as the enterprise allowance of years ago, but does work well if you really want to start your own business.

 

You will have to go on business link courses etc, but it really depends how far down the setting up route you are. When I set mine up I fast tracked, as I had already got funding and business plans printed out, I was just waiting for the go ahead from the business manager.

 

Hope this all helps

Steve

[Elliebes]

Im at square one Steve.

[turquoisewaters]

 

 

Hi, They put me on this enterprise allowance, and I was wanting to know how long do they keep paying my council rent and council tax for at what point do they stop this how many months time...I have just been excepted... Also this loan they give how soon can you apply and do you need to have an excellent credit record to qualify for this loan....I need this loan to but transport to get the job's done so how long before I can use this....as I do not have a car...be please if you could let me know some details as what to expect .....as you said you been on this for a year now....

[sparkles2010]

This is something that i wuld be intrested in doing have my idea and have done y retraining just need to get started on it, b ut as i got signed off by the dr in may and then rapid reclaimed jsa begining of september have been told by JC that i have to wait 6 mths before i can go on to the programe?