Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
Lets you keep a reducing portion of your social welfare payment for two years while you start your own business — 100% in year one, 75% in year two.
- Type
- Means-tested
- Paid
- No fixed amount or schedule
- Taxable
- No
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is Back to Work Enterprise Allowance?
100% of your payment year 1, 75% year 2
You keep your existing weekly payment at 100% for the first year and 75% for the second. Grants towards business costs are also available, from €250 up to €2,500 depending on the category, with a 20% contribution from you.
Who can get Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
- You must be setting up as self-employed in a business approved in advance.
- You must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum period.
- Approval must be given before you start trading.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance means test
You must already be getting a qualifying means-tested or PRSI-based payment. The Allowance itself is not separately means-tested.
How your savings are assessed
All means-tested payments except Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
|---|---|
| First €20,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €10,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance | €4 per €1,000 |
Capital means your savings, investments, stocks, shares and any property other than your own home. Your own home is never assessed. Capital belonging to a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is included.
Things people get caught by
- Get approval before you start trading. Starting first and applying afterwards is the most common reason applications fail.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.
- Jobseeker's Allowance
The most common qualifying payment.
- Medical Card
You normally keep it for the duration of the scheme.