Starting self employment help from Restart

Oneplanetonelife

I’m starting restart and was under the impression they have more funds to help than the jobcenters.

can I get funds for advertising, clothing and equipment to start a new business?

Do they give you a year before you have to be in profit?

Oneplanetonelife

Does anyone have experience how it works to start SE with restart help?

huckster

Restart providers have coaches that can help with self employment, but generally only arranging courses, signposting to information available and other providers who can offer further support.

I don't think Restart is going to provide funds for advertising. They might help with purchasing low cost equipment and a small amount for work clothing. Once you start to receive help from Restart if you have a worked out business plan including costings, then you could submit a request for some funding support from Restart. But I suspect the amount you may be wanting would be too much and you will be given information of where  you could try to apply for loans from commercial lenders e.g. Banks.

Under Universal Credit if you are new to self employment, if you are found gainfully self employed (by Job Centre Work Coach) as you have a business you are developing to provide a main profitable source of income, then you will be given a 12 month start up period. During the 12 month period you will be expected to take steps to grow your income and show evidence of this at a Job Centre appointment once every 3 months.

There may be other self employment support local to where you live. If you go to your local Council Authorities website and search for self employment help, you may find some useful information. Depending on your age and circumstances, there may be local organisations that provide grants to those looking to set up a new self employment business.

Oneplanetonelife

So just clothes and equipment then?

Oneplanetonelife

What is the limit? Is it a couple of hundred pounds?

can I order online? 

Tucosalamanca

You're missing the important part They might help.

The scope of Restart help is variable across the country.
None of us can say what financial or other assistance that you might receive.

You need to ask Restart.

Reading some of the threads on Reddit (where Restart is often discussed), I wouldn't raise your expectations too high...

Oneplanetonelife

Restart have more resources that JC. They can reimburse you for all travel and things like that for interviews and appointments,

they get a large budget from the government to pay for these things

Spoonie_Turtle

Oneplanetonelife said:

Restart have more resources that JC. They can reimburse you for all travel and things like that for interviews and appointments,

they get a large budget from the government to pay for these things

Where are you getting this information from?  Especially the part about a large budget?

Tucosalamanca

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Oneplanetonelife said:

Restart have more resources that JC. They can reimburse you for all travel and things like that for interviews and appointments,

they get a large budget from the government to pay for these things

Where are you getting this information from?  Especially the part about a large budget?

OP is just starting - I think they might have a bit of a shock coming...

huckster

No harm in asking, but only do so as part of a costed business plan. 

Depending on age and eligibility criteria there may be more generous local grants available from other organisations. Up to you to look into what is available local to you.

Oneplanetonelife

The JC told me that restart has much greater funds available than they do.

you can get reimbursed for clothes and travel to interviews

also they can reimburse you a days travel card upto two times per week if you are going to interview and appointments