Grant/benefit for new start up?

fest0r

Is there any sort of scheme for financial help with new business start ups for people previously on long term income support/DLA and/or changing to job seekers allowance?

Many thanks

mandym

you could maybe try contacting the Disability Employment Adviser at your local jobcentre, they may be able to point you in the right direction

aeuerby

If there are grants/funding for new businesses then no-one told my hubby about them. In fact last year whe he told the jobcentre he wanted to start his own business they wouldn't at first let him.

The story goes something like this. He was unemployed for around a year. At this point he was sent to REED employment agency. He wasn't told why or anything else he was just told he had to go. He was there 6 months and they were neither use nor ornament. Towards the end of this time we hit on the idea for our business. He mentioned this at the last Reed meeting and also at the job centre.

Our job centre runs a course where you can still claim job seekers allowance but you can start your own business and earn money but you can't spend it. The Job centre told him that as he has already done a training course he couldn't go on this scheme until August (pity no-one told him Reed was a training course and they certainly didn't train him in anything). This was mad. Anyway, to cut a long story short he got our MP involved and they backed down and allowed him to start our business.

We have been running for a year now with absolutley no financial help at all. We did try the chamber of commerce but they didn't have a clue as to how to help an internet based business they also told us they couldn't help out with any money because they didn't have any. The job centre and this scheme he went on were no help either.

You could try the chamber of commerce to see if they can help but I wouldn't hold my breath!

fest0r

Thanks for the advice guys

shelbygt500

i have recently been to the jobcentre, and have signed up for the new deal for lone parents.i was put in touch with a local business start up firm, and i have had 2 workshops, built around starting the business,they even helped me write a business plan, i am able to start a small business without loosing any benefits for 6 months. for these 6 months whilst you "test trade", it is true that you cant spend any of the profits you make,but any profit goes into a bank account. you can use this for business expenses,with a co-signatory from the advisors.any money is yours after this period.
i am still able to claim housing & council tax benefit, and my income support will not change in amount,just name, to jobseekers allowance, this is so that i am able to work. after 6 months, if it is still a viable idea, there is no reason why you can't claim working tax credits.
the firm i am with have been superb, not only will they be there for the first 6 months,but i have free access to them for the rest of the life of the business.
as far as grants go,i have just applied for a start up grant, from the local enterprise centre, it is for £1,000 and is funded by the european regional development fund. i suppose it depends on the area you live in, but it has to be worth a try.
hope this helps.

fest0r

Thanks for the info shelbygt500. Will you have an option to lease these workshops after the 6 months or are they available for this scheme only? I take it the start up firm is a New Deal employer? Sounds like the same scheme aeuerby mentioned.

What are the conditions of the £1000 grant if you’re sucsessfull… do you need to put up your own £1000 etc?

Many thanks

someonehadmyusername

inbiz
princes trust
business link and local start-up help is available

jobcentre could advise u
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