What Is The Back To Work Enterprise Allowance?

The Back To Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) is a government scheme for people under the age of 66 who are receiving certain social welfare payments. The goal of the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance is to encourage and support people who are unemployed to start their own businesses. 

The BTWEA allows you to keep receiving most or all of your social welfare payments for up to 2 years while you set up your own business in Ireland. This means you can focus on setting up and running your own business and still get an income from your social welfare payments. 

If you qualify for the BTWEA you can receive: 

• 100% of your social welfare payment for the first year 
• 75% of your social welfare for the second year 

This includes any increases you are entitled to for qualified adults or children.

You can qualify for the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance if you are setting up a new business that has been approved by a Case Officer from your local Intreo centre and by a Local Development Company and has been receiving one or a combination of the following payment:

• Jobseeker’s Benefit/Allowance
• Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Blind Pension
• Disability Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Deserted Wife’s Benefit /Deserted Wife’s Allowance
• Farm Assist – you should note that the new business cannot be in relation to the farm holding or the continuation of an existing business
• Invalidity Pension
• Incapacity Supplement
• Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension
• Illness-related payments

You are also eligible if you are the qualified adult of someone who is already getting the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance and they have to cease their self-employment due to certain circumstances, such as long-term illness or injury. OR you have recently been released from prison and meet the criteria for the scheme.

1. Fill in the BTW2 application form. You can print this form yourself or pick up a copy at your local Intreo or social welfare office. The form will ask you for details about your business proposal. You don’t have to include a detailed business plan at this stage, but it can help you prove how serious you are about starting your business if you do. You should also include details of any Start Your Own Business courses you have attended with your Local Enterprise Office 
2. Return your application form to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Office. You will be assigned a case officer who will meet with you to see if you’re eligible for the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance 
3. You will then be sent to a Local Development Company (LDC) that will look at your business idea and help you create your business plan 
4. This plan will be returned to your case worker who will make a recommendation to a deciding officer on whether you should receive the allowance 

If you are approved for the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance, you need to register as self-employed with Revenue. If you later stop being self-employed or take up other employment you need to let the Department of Social Protection know. 

If your application isn’t approved, you can make changes to your business plan and apply again as long as you are still eligible. You can also contact the Department of Social Protection if you feel your application was unfairly refused. 

.

You can receive grants from your Local Enterprise Office or a Local Development Company to help you set up your business. These will not affect your entitlement to the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance. 

You can also keep any other benefits you are entitled to, such as a medical card and Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance – the BTWEA will not affect your entitlement to these benefits. 

You do not have to pay tax, Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) or Universal Social Charge on the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance. However, you will have to pay these taxes on the income you make from your new business.

If you need help or guidance on your tax obligations a member of our team will be happy to help you. 

If you aren’t eligible for the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance, you might be entitled to the Short Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA) instead. The STEA supports people who have lost their job and started their own businesses. If you are recently unemployed but haven’t been receiving welfare payments for the 9 months required to receive the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance, the Short Term Enterprise Allowance could be the best option for you. 

If you are receiving social welfare payments and considering setting up your own business as an option, you could qualify for the Back To Work Enterprise Allowance. 

If you have any questions about setting up your business or your tax or compliance obligations talk to a member of our Client Services team today – they will be happy to help you.