The back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) is designed to provide a monetary incentive for people in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment to develop a business while allowing them to retain a reducing proportion of their payment over two years; 100% in year 1 and 75% in year 2.
Since January 2017, jobseekers taking up self-employment are able to access the BTWEA after 9 months, down from 12 months previously. The short term enterprise allowance is immediately available to someone in receipt of a jobseekers benefit payment and remains in payment for the remaining duration of their jobseekers benefit entitlement. The July Stimulus package provided additional provision to support jobseekers establish self-employment opportunities under this scheme and the details are currently being worked through by my officials.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy at this time.