New Deal Self-Employed Option

Are you in receipt of Benefits and interested in self-employment?
This scheme is Designed for you!

Information below explains how you can claim your benefits whilst starting your own business.

What the scheme offers you:

• You can become your own boss
• You can continue to claim your unemployment benefits
• You will be rewarded for your own effort and skill.
• You can obtain comprehensive training in business processes and procedures
  FREE OF CHARGE.
• You get to keep all the profits at the end of the Programme.

Eligibility Criteria

Jobcentre Plus has sole responsibility for determining eligibility. Please check with a New Deal Advisor at your local Jobcentre.

How the New Deal (Self-Employed Option) Programme works:

STEP 1
Arrange an initial meeting at the job centre to discuss your business idea and eligibility with a New Deal Personal Advisor.

STEP 2
Book onto an Awareness Session to discuss the programme and whether it is for you.

STEP 3
Attend a one-to-one meeting with a business advisor to discuss your business idea and then book onto the next available business - planning course if appropriate. This will help you to produce a business plan.

STEP 4
Provided that step 3 results in the production of a viable business plan a test-trading period can be arranged. This test-trading period will last 26 weeks. During this period you set up and run your own business whilst claiming your benefits and receive comprehensive training in business processes and procedures to suit your requirements.

The role of your Business Advisor is to monitor the progress of your business and ensure:

a. That you are appropriately trained.
b. You develop sales, deliver services or products to your customers and keep records according to relevant law.
c. By means of a robust cash flow control, that your test trade period and subsequent 13 week period should not result in a loss.
 
This is a Flexible Programme Designed to meet the needs of different people.

To find more about the NEW DEAL SELF-EMPLOYED OPTION contact:
Your local Job Centre and telephone Business Initiative on 01782 202222 to find out what you can expect from us and what we will expect from you.