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The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme (BTWEA) is a social welfare scheme which allows its participants to become self employed while retaining their social welfare payments.
To qualify you must be setting up a viable business; and for the business to have been given written approval by the Ballymun Partnership. This will involve registering the business with Revenue for income tax, completing a detailed business plan and discussing any chances in circumstance with your local Community Welfare Officer, if applicable. The Partnership will provide support and assistance with these tasks.
Benefits
Under the BTWEA, you can keep social welfare payments for up to four years in the following proportions:
- 100% for the 1st year
- 75% for the 2nd year
- 50% for the 3rd year
- 25% for the 4th year
Participants will also keep any secondary benefits for four years, provided their net household income is less than €317.43 per week.
Payment of BTWEA is not taken into account for the €317.43 weekly income limit.
Rent supplements will be paid in the following proportions:
- 75% for the 1st year
- 50% for the 2nd year
- 25% for the 3rd year
- 25% for the 4th year
Participants will be allowed to continue to use their medical card for the duration of the scheme.
Criteria
You must be in receipt of one of the following to qualify for BTWEA Scheme.
Be in receipt of Unemployment Benefit, Unemployment Assistance or Supplement Welfare Allowance for at least 2 years
Or
Be in receipt of One-Parent Family, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Farm Assist, Unemployable Supplement, Pre-Retirement Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carers Allowance, Widows or Widowers (Non-Contributory) Pension, Deserted Wifes Benefit or Allowance or Prisoners Wifes Allowance for at least 12 months.
Or
Disability Benefit for 3 years or longer.
Time spent on F?S Training, Community Employment, Job Initiative, Teagasc, FIT, Filte Ireland, Social Economy Programme, Rural Social Scheme, VTOS or Back To Education Schemes is accepted as a period of unemployment.
If you believe you meet the above criteria contact Ballymun Partnership Tel 01 8423612 or email enterprise@ballymun.org or your local social welfare office.
You will have no income tax or PRSI due on any moneys received from the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme.
Please note the above qualification criteria are subject to change. For the most updated information on the BTWEA scheme please contact the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA)
For further details:
Click here to view / download social welfare publication Back To Work Enterprise Allowance (SW92).
Click here to view / download social welfare Back To Work Enterprise Allowance Application Form (BTW2).
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