Enterprise Allowance Scheme

Southhh · 11 May 2015 at 6:07PM

Hello people!

Newbie here. Just registered on the website and would like some information on the Enterprise Allowance Scheme if that's possible

. I went to the job centre last Friday and told my advisor I contacted Princes Trust. She led on to say there's a scheme called NEA and that there's a "trial period" in place to see if your business would work or not. Once hearing about it I was very excited to get my hands dirty and sign myself up for it. Partly because the trial period she mentioned was a nice feature, but also because housing benefit would not be effected :j

I phoned my advisor as of today and have an appointment scheduled tomorrow to sign a form. (I'm guessing this is to refer me to the scheme). However, apart from the brief chat with her on Friday I don't know anything else about the scheme than what I've read for myself. After doing some research I now have mixed opinions on the scheme and was wondering if anyone who has finished it / currently involved could answer my questions.

1. What are the stages once job centre advisor refers you?

2. Once you've been refereed and an appointment has been set up to meet with someone for the first time. Do you need to take any paperwork with you or is it just sort of like an information session? (Getting to know about the scheme, getting to know if it's right for you, pitching your business idea etc)

3. Do you need to have the business set up in a certain amount of weeks after being accepted onto the scheme? (For example: 8 weeks)

4. How does the change over from JSA to NEA work exactly? (I've heard you "switch over"). Is this when your accepted onto the scheme or is this when your business is officially up and running?

5. What happens if your business idea doesn't work out and you're forced to go back onto JSA? Do you just "switch over" and continue from where you left off before, or do you have to start a whole new claim?

Sorry for the long post. I'm sure my advisor would clear up some of these questions but I thought I would ask here first. Thanks people

BigAunty · 11 May 2015 at 6:51PM

There is a lengthy NEA thread on this forum already. See if you can dig it up as many applicants at different parts of the process provide their feedback, including the failing parts and weaknesses they perceive. It will at least cover some of your queries.