New Enterprise Allowance scheme - My story

pinkypoopydoo

andyscott wrote: »

How confident is everyone about their planned business been a success.

I seem to have this issue where every morning when I wake up for the first hour or so I feel very negative about my idea and just feel it will never work.

I swing hugely from being incredibly confident about things, to having massive periods of self doubt. I assume it's normal - after all, you are taking yourself from the relative security of employment or even benefits, and launching into the unknown. Everyone I have spoken to about my business has been incredibly positive, so now it's my turn to have some belief in myself and my skills, and go for it.

CuriousWorker

I have a query which I don't believe has been addressed in this thread anywhere so far.

After complaining for months on end to my local JCP about wanting some help and advice with going self employed, I was eventually switched to a new advisor who informed me of NEA. At the time I was due to be referred to the Work Programme in 2 weeks time, so my advisor postponed the appointment so I could meet up with a business advisor and discuss my idea. I already had somewhat of a business plan prepared before this meeting.

After meeting up with him, he was of the opinion that the business idea was definitely viable and we agreed that we would have further mentoring sessions. However, despite trying to arrange it, I have not yet had another meeting with him and I have now had a letter stating that I am to be referred to the Work Programme in less than 2 weeks time.

I have been told that it requires up to 8 weeks of mentoring with the advisor to prepare a business plan and cashflow projection BEFORE you are even considered to be accepted onto NEA - yet, in less than 2 weeks I go on to the Work Programme! So, I basically want to know if I am wasting my time?

It seems strange how people on the Work Programme cannot access NEA yet people who are going down the NEA route can be made to go on the Work Programme, effectively meaning that even enquiring into NEA in the first place, the mentoring sessions, preparation, etc will all just have been a complete waste of time anyway!

Has anyone else had problems with this?

Lady_strange

I think you have been given false information. You work on your business plan whilst you are on the NEA, still receiving JSA until your business plan is signed off, then you can sign off JSA and onto NEA.

WantToBeSE

CuriousWorker wrote: »

I have a query which I don't believe has been addressed in this thread anywhere so far.

After complaining for months on end to my local JCP about wanting some help and advice with going self employed, I was eventually switched to a new advisor who informed me of NEA. At the time I was due to be referred to the Work Programme in 2 weeks time, so my advisor postponed the appointment so I could meet up with a business advisor and discuss my idea. I already had somewhat of a business plan prepared before this meeting.

After meeting up with him, he was of the opinion that the business idea was definitely viable and we agreed that we would have further mentoring sessions. However, despite trying to arrange it, I have not yet had another meeting with him and I have now had a letter stating that I am to be referred to the Work Programme in less than 2 weeks time.

I have been told that it requires up to 8 weeks of mentoring with the advisor to prepare a business plan and cashflow projection BEFORE you are even considered to be accepted onto NEA - yet, in less than 2 weeks I go on to the Work Programme! So, I basically want to know if I am wasting my time?

It seems strange how people on the Work Programme cannot access NEA yet people who are going down the NEA route can be made to go on the Work Programme, effectively meaning that even enquiring into NEA in the first place, the mentoring sessions, preparation, etc will all just have been a complete waste of time anyway!

Has anyone else had problems with this?

Lady_strange wrote: »

I think you have been given false information. You work on your business plan whilst you are on the NEA, still receiving JSA until your business plan is signed off, then you can sign off JSA and onto NEA.

I agree with Lady_Strange.
You stay on JSA while writing up your business plan and meeting with your BM. You have been given wrong information.
if i were you, i would print out the info about it from gov.uk, and take that with you to the job centre.

BigAl127

Sorry about any negativity I might have portrayed, I just wanted others to be aware of what can happen, but i'm sure it varies in different areas of the country.

I have now received my final JSA payment as of yesterday, and my £100 Job Grant today. I have also been informed that my NEA has been received at Cardiff, and all back money should be in my bank by next Friday. I'm sure my experience will not be the same as everyone's else's.

As I've said previously, YES I would do it all again, as the upside far outweighs the downsides.

WantToBeSE

BigAl127 wrote: »

Sorry about any negativity I might have portrayed, I just wanted others to be aware of what can happen, but i'm sure it varies in different areas of the country.

I have now received my final JSA payment as of yesterday, and my £100 Job Grant today. I have also been informed that my NEA has been received at Cardiff, and all back money should be in my bank by next Friday. I'm sure my experience will not be the same as everyone's else's.

As I've said previously, YES I would do it all again, as the upside far outweighs the downsides.

Hi BigAl, i wasnt talking about you (in regards to the negativity)
What is the job grant?

pinkypoopydoo

CuriousWorker wrote: »

I have been told that it requires up to 8 weeks of mentoring with the advisor to prepare a business plan and cashflow projection BEFORE you are even considered to be accepted onto NEA - yet, in less than 2 weeks I go on to the Work Programme! So, I basically want to know if I am wasting my time?

As far as I'm aware - that is correct. I am on the 8 weeks of mentoring and working on my business plan. Until that is accepted, I am still on JSA and have to sign on (but I don;t have to prove I'm looking for work, just that I am working on my business plan). Until my business plan is completed and accepted, I am not considered to be on NEA.

That said, have no idea how it would affect the Work Programme. surely if you've been accepted as having a viable idea, and are on the mentoring section, being put on the work programme would be delayed?

BigAl127

WantToBeSE wrote: »

What is the job grant?

It was a one-off payment for coming off benefits and into work, if you'd been on certain benefits for more than 26 weeks. It was £250 for a single parent, or £100 if no dependent children.

Unfortunately, it ended after the 31st March, as I believe does the Return to Work Credit around Sept/Oct 2013. As I started self employment on the 25th March, I was entitled to the Job Grant.

andyscott

CuriousWorker wrote: »

I have a query which I don't believe has been addressed in this thread anywhere so far.

After complaining for months on end to my local JCP about wanting some help and advice with going self employed, I was eventually switched to a new advisor who informed me of NEA. At the time I was due to be referred to the Work Programme in 2 weeks time, so my advisor postponed the appointment so I could meet up with a business advisor and discuss my idea. I already had somewhat of a business plan prepared before this meeting.

After meeting up with him, he was of the opinion that the business idea was definitely viable and we agreed that we would have further mentoring sessions. However, despite trying to arrange it, I have not yet had another meeting with him and I have now had a letter stating that I am to be referred to the Work Programme in less than 2 weeks time.

I have been told that it requires up to 8 weeks of mentoring with the advisor to prepare a business plan and cashflow projection BEFORE you are even considered to be accepted onto NEA - yet, in less than 2 weeks I go on to the Work Programme! So, I basically want to know if I am wasting my time?

It seems strange how people on the Work Programme cannot access NEA yet people who are going down the NEA route can be made to go on the Work Programme, effectively meaning that even enquiring into NEA in the first place, the mentoring sessions, preparation, etc will all just have been a complete waste of time anyway!

Has anyone else had problems with this?

I was in a similar situation to yourself. I put a post on yesterday explaining it all if your wanting to read it.

Basically as soon as they say they are reffering you onto WP, you have no chance of getting onto NEA. It is then up to your WP provider to help you with self employment if they are willing and able to according to JC+.

I would not say your completely wasting your time. Although you do have a very short space of time.

You have to spend time writing up your business plan if you have not already got one. You have to make sure its perfect. When talking about marketing, sales etc make sure you go into great detail explain things like what you will do and why.

You then need to make an appointment to see the business advisor. You need to make sure your business plan is good enough that he wont need to tell you to go away and make major adjustments. If its good enough he may say that he would put you onto NEA straight away before your 2 weeks are up. The last thing you want is him thinking your business plan needs major work and you need to attend several courses about business.

Im sure if your looking for any help people on here will try their best to give you advice.

andyscott

What makes you want to go self employed instead of employment?

I have always had a great interest in business but there are a number of reasons.

1. Money. With the jobs out there just now I would find it hard to find a job that pays well. Even if I managed to get a job paying £10ph, i would still only get a mortgage for around 50k.

2. To be able to offer my kids a job with me if they should ever need it when they are older. It would give them experience for going for other jobs.

3. To be able to work for so many years and have something at the end of it instead of just walking away with a small wage and an employer taking a lot more. Been able to sell the business after retiring and making money from years of working on it or been able to pass it onto kids.

4. This might be a strange one but in a way job security. Over the years many people have unexpectely found out the company is going into administration and they would be losing their jobs. At least when your the boss, you know exactly the situation of the business and what cutbacks need to be done if things are slow for a while.