Grants & Supports

back to work entrprise allowance

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) is a support to qualifying clients wishing to take that first step into self-employment. It assists in alleviating the risks involved with a new venture and provides an element of financial security along with business mentoring and other supports.

BTWEA is payable at 100% of the primary payment for Year 1 and reducing to 75% for Year 2, subject to a maximum of 624 paid days i.e. 2 years.

Short Term ENTRPRISE 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 entitled to Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) or Jobseeker’s Benefit Self-Employed (JBSE). There is no qualifying period, which means you do not need to be in receipt of JB or JBSE for any specific 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 in place 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).

Enterprise Support Grant

The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) allows the Department of Social Protection to provide financial support for new enterprises, in addition to income support recieved under Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) or Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) schemes The grant is also available to current recipients of BTWEA or STEA.

Access Support & Further information

If you would like to access any of the supports listed above, or if you have any questions on these, please contact Karen O'Reilly, Job Coach & Mentor, at karen.oreilly@meathpartnership.ie