This project is co-funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Social Protection and the European Union.
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
Roscommon Leader Partnership, in collaboration with the Department of Social Protection, administers both the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme and the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance Scheme. These initiatives empower individuals with entrepreneurial ambitions across various sectors to initiate their businesses while preserving a portion of their social welfare entitlements.
Self-employment emerges as a viable and alternative pathway, with these schemes serving as catalysts to instil motivation and inspiration among unemployed individuals, encouraging them to establish sustainable and inventive enterprises.
The criteria for eligibility for the Schemes are as follows:
1. Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme:
You may qualify for the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance if:
- You are under 66 and proposing to establish a new self-employed business that has been approved in writing, in advance, by the Department of Social Protection and Roscommon LEADER Partnership
- You have received Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment or One-Parent Family Payment continuously for at least 9 months
- You have received one of the following payments continuously for at least nine months: Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, Farm Assist, full-rate Carer’s Allowance where caring responsibilities have ended Bereaved Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension, or Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance
- You have received a combination of qualifying payments continuously for at least 9 months
- If Illness Benefit is your primary payment, you have received qualifying social welfare payments for at least 3 of the previous 5 years
Certain periods on approved education, training or employment programmes, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Daily Expenses Allowance or time spent in prison may count towards the qualifying period, subject to Department conditions.
Limited provisions may apply to a qualified adult taking over an existing approved business. Previous BTWEA or STEA participants may reapply, subject to the relevant five-year rules.
2. Short-Term Enterprise Allowance Scheme:
There is no separate qualifying period for the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance. You may qualify if:
- You are receiving, or entitled to, Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit or Jobseeker’s Benefit Self-Employed
- You are proposing to establish a new full-time self-employed business
- You obtain a written recommendation from a Department of Social Protection Employment Personal Adviser before starting self-employment
Seasonal, temporary or part-time self-employment does not qualify.
Meet the Team:
