Stay on Benefits & test starting up your own Business
Are you currently unemployed and interested in starting your own business? Is it something you’ve always thought about doing but think the risk is too great? What if we told you, you could start up your own business, while still retaining your entitlement to benefit and also receive an additional £15 weekly top-up fee? How? All through the Steps to Work Programme – Self Employment Option.
What is the Steps to Work Programme?
Steps to Work (STW) is a new and fresh approach to assisting people find employment. This menu-based approach provides a flexible way to help you with your individual employment and training needs.
Here at Omagh Enterprise Company our focus is on supporting those of you interested in self employment to find your feet and guide you through those first tentative steps of starting your own business.
Who is eligible?
If you are 18 years of age or over, and in one of the following groups, you will be able to join Steps to Work:
- In receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support or any other benefit.
How will the Programme benefit me?
- Discuss your business idea with a professional business advisor
- Get training on the skills needed to operate a new business
- Prepare a business plan
- ‘Test trade’ your business idea for 26 weeks, while still retaining your entitlement to benefit
- During test trading you will receive £15.38 extra per week in addition to your benefits
A dedicated Business Advisor is there for the duration of the ‘test trading’ for support and to signpost you to the next stage once the ‘test trading’ stage is complete.
For further information on the Steps to Work Self Employment Option, contact Roseleen on 028 82 249494 or via email at roseleen.molloy@omaghenterprise.co.uk.
