Government Of Ireland Short Term Enterprise Allowance : gov.ie

Organization : Government of Ireland
Facility Name : Apply for Short Term Enterprise Allowance
Country : Ireland
Website : https://www.gov.ie/en/service/538ba3-short-term-enterprise-allowance-stea/

What Is Ireland Short Term Enterprise Allowance?

** The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) supports you if you have lost your job and want to start your own business.

** The Short-Term Enterprise Allowance is paid instead of your Jobseeker’s Benefit for a maximum of 9 months. It ends when your entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit ends (that is, at either 9 or 6 months).

How To Qualify For Ireland Short Term Enterprise Allowance?

** To qualify for the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance you must be getting, or have an entitlement to, Jobseeker’s Benefit.

** The client must obtain written recommendation from LDC and the department’s Case Officer in advance of commencing self- employment.

** Seasonal, temporary or part time self-employment does not qualify for the STEA.

** You must contact the department immediately if your self-employment ends or you take up employment.

** If you are unemployed when your entitlement to STEA ends you will not immediately re-qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit. However, you can apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance which is a means-tested payment.

How To Apply For Ireland Short Term Enterprise Allowance?

To apply for the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance, complete the application form below:

Download Application Form : https://www.statusin.org/uploads/pdf2022/65983.pdf

** Prior to referring a new applicant to a LDC a Case Officer should conduct a brief initial assessment with the claimant to assess suitability for the STEA scheme in line with their progression plan. Following on the client is then referred to the LDC to develop a business plan.

** The Enterprise Officer will look at your business proposal and may discuss certain aspects of it with you.

** Once recommended by both the Case Officer and LDC, the papers are forwarded to the Deciding Officer for decision.

** If you are accepted on to the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance, you must register as self-employed with the Revenue Commissioners. You can find more information on self-employment from your local tax office.

Short Term Enterprise Allowance Rate Of Payment

** If you qualify, the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance replaces your Jobseeker’s Benefit. The STEA will be paid at the same rate as your Jobseeker’s Benefit, including any increases for adult and child dependants. It ends when your entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit ends.

** The STEA may be paid directly into your bank or building society account on a weekly basis. It cannot be paid into a mortgage account.

** You do not pay PRSI or Universal Social Charge on the STEA. However the STEA is subject to income tax in the same way as Jobseeker’s Benefit. (Note that this is different from the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance which is not taxable).

** You may qualify for Start Your Own Business Relief which provides a two-year exemption from income tax (up to a maximum of €40,000 each year) for people who have been unemployed for at least 12 months before starting their own business.

** It runs from 25 October 2013 to 31 December 2018. (However, if you started to get the STEA before 25 October 2013, you do not qualify for the relief because you had already started your business before the start date for the scheme.)