New Enterprise Allowance scheme - My story

chummyextreme747

BigAl127 wrote: »

How long did it take for others to receive their NEA payments?

I had no break between the last JSA and the first NEA.

pinkypoopydoo

I have an appointment in a week with Business Gateway, in the hope that I will get moved to NEA, but I'm concerned now about the whole tax credits situation! Why is nothing simple?!? I have a mortgage to pay, children to feed, and would love a simple answer to the simple question of "will I be entitled to WTC, even if I make zero money the first few months?". My head might actually explode before I get to my meeting!

Out of interest, a question for those who have spoken to BG and had their plans accepted. Do I need to have my business plan perfected before the initial meeting, or can I stop stressing quite as much (there are issues, like advertising, of which I have no understanding of at all, so are currently missing from my business plan) about the bits I need help with, and concentrate on making sure the bits I am clear and certain on are legible and well presented? I don't want to be turned down because I do this wrong - this could be my best chance of getting off benefits I ever get, and is the culmination of 2 years hard studying, while my youngest was under 5. I have a lot resting on this meeting.

chummyextreme747

I wasn't eligible for WTC, so it's not something I looked into.

The meetings with the advisor were really to put the business plan together. You do need a sound idea though. Being accepted onto NEA was very easy in my case. Part of the business plan is adding up your 'survival' amount. Mine was pretty low, and this is probably what made my idea viable.

NEA just gives you a few months grace to get started with a business. The struggle starts when the NEA payments run out.

WantToBeSE

pinkypoopydoo wrote: »

I have an appointment in a week with Business Gateway, in the hope that I will get moved to NEA, but I'm concerned now about the whole tax credits situation! Why is nothing simple?!? I have a mortgage to pay, children to feed, and would love a simple answer to the simple question of "will I be entitled to WTC, even if I make zero money the first few months?". My head might actually explode before I get to my meeting!

Out of interest, a question for those who have spoken to BG and had their plans accepted. Do I need to have my business plan perfected before the initial meeting, or can I stop stressing quite as much (there are issues, like advertising, of which I have no understanding of at all, so are currently missing from my business plan) about the bits I need help with, and concentrate on making sure the bits I am clear and certain on are legible and well presented? I don't want to be turned down because I do this wrong - this could be my best chance of getting off benefits I ever get, and is the culmination of 2 years hard studying, while my youngest was under 5. I have a lot resting on this meeting.

Same here Pinky, this is my concern. I actually think that i am going to get an employed job, and then save up to start up my own business now, as i cant be guaranteed WTC (At least this is what my advisor has indicated) even though i WILL be working on the business for the required hours, but how to show it is my issue!

pinkypoopydoo

WantToBeSE wrote: »

Same here Pinky, this is my concern. I actually think that i am going to get an employed job, and then save up to start up my own business now, as i cant be guaranteed WTC (At least this is what my advisor has indicated) even though i WILL be working on the business for the required hours, but how to show it is my issue!

Funny you should say that - the lone parent advisor who I dealt with until recently said that, in the case of a single parent with children to feed, it would be a far better idea to get a p/t job, then use spare time to set up by themselves. Sadly, even part time work is scarce in my area, and while I have been applying for pretty much everything that fits around childcare, I've not even got an interview for anything yet. Some days, it feels like there is no way out of this unemployment hole, despite all the hard work I have put in so far, and am willing to continue putting in

WantToBeSE

pinkypoopydoo wrote: »

Funny you should say that - the lone parent advisor who I dealt with until recently said that, in the case of a single parent with children to feed, it would be a far better idea to get a p/t job, then use spare time to set up by themselves. Sadly, even part time work is scarce in my area, and while I have been applying for pretty much everything that fits around childcare, I've not even got an interview for anything yet. Some days, it feels like there is no way out of this unemployment hole, despite all the hard work I have put in so far, and am willing to continue putting in

The job situation is exactly the same here, Pinky. The childcare isn't much better either, full chilminders with 6 month waiting lists...it's a nightmare.
I have been turned down for job after job because i can't work evenings and weekends.

pinkypoopydoo

I'm actually in the process of trying to persuade a neighbour to register as a childminder, as there are none in my area. After school club doesn't run during the holidays either, so even once my 5 year old starts school, there's still the holidays to worry about. Still, if I can get this business off the ground, then it's a moot point, as I specifically retrained to enable me to work from home. I'm confident that I can build a decent business, if given the correct advice and help from those who know better than me about business start-ups, so hopefully I can be confident and passionate enough to convince BG.

andyscott

What type of business is it that your looking to set up.

Would you not consider setting up a childminding business as you have said there are none in your area.

pinkypoopydoo

I looked into childminding a while back, before I started studying, but my home isn't suitable (overcrowded and a damp problem), so had to forget about it. I have spent the last few years since I split with my husband training in accounting, and now want to set up as a bookkeeper, providing bookkeeping, and a more complete stock control service (I worked as a stock control manager for 10 years before I had children). I (at least I *think*!!) I have a pretty good vision of what is possible with my skills, and within a workeable geographical area, as well as excellent (though I say it myself..!) experience and exam marks to draw on. I'm just not clear on the basics of setting up (apart from the accounting implications, obviously!), advertising etc. My priority is, and always will be, keeping the roof over my families heads and food in their stomachs though, so if BG think it's a no go, then I'll just have to keep plugging in the job applications.

andyscott

To be honest I dont think you really need Business Gateway to get your business idea of the ground.

A lot of advertising can be done very cheaply and there is another couple of forums that are for small businesses. There are always people will to give advice.

How would you charge for the accountancy services is it a set weekly/monthly fee etc?