Supplementary Welfare Allowance and self-employed (consequences)

Q

queenlex

Registered User
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Could someone please tell me if someone was to go self-employed and failed as it were what are the consequences, i.e. from the basic eating and shelter point of view. I hear people saying their businesses failed and they get nothing from the state are they really starving to death and ending up on the street??

Many thanks for any feedback,


Q
 
Supplementary Welfare Allowance(SWA) is a means-tested scheme, based on the means at the time of application. Having been self-employed is not of itself a bar to applying for SWA.

Self-employed people who are no longer in business may also qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance (also means-tested). They do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit (PRSI-based) as the Class S contributions paid by the self-employed does not entitle a payee to Jobseeker's Benefit.

If there is another income in the household (e.g. person was employed or self-employed and is now unemployed, partner/spouse in full time employment), the unemployed person may not qualify for Jobseeker's or SWA based on means.
 
gipimann said:
Supplementary Welfare Allowance(SWA) is a means-tested scheme, based on the means at the time of application. Having been self-employed is not of itself a bar to applying for SWA.

Self-employed people who are no longer in business may also qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance (also means-tested). They do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit (PRSI-based) as the Class S contributions paid by the self-employed does not entitle a payee to Jobseeker's Benefit.

If there is another income in the household (e.g. person was employed or self-employed and is now unemployed, partner/spouse in full time employment), the unemployed person may not qualify for Jobseeker's or SWA based on means.
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Thats great thanks for replying gipimann, I suppose the bottom line for me is if renting and employed at the moment if I took a chance on going self-employed would I get enough help from the state in the event of that risk, i.e. going self-employed going wrong and failing, would I get some allowance to prevent myself starving to death basically and would I get some allowance to help with my rent.

I dont want to live like a king if it fails or anything I just want to live a fulfilling life making sure I get the most satisfaction out of the work part of my life.
 
Hi Queenlex,

also note that you do not have to shut down the business to apply for JSA - if the business is not making a level of profit equal to the rate of JSA you would be entitled to then you may be entitled to a top-up.

Best of luck in your business venture.
 
I am self employed and out of work after hand surgery.Once this hand has recovered ,which can take up to a year I then have to have the same surgery on the other hand. I may well be unable to work for two years .Are there any social welfare payments available. My wife works full time.
 
You are unlikely to qualify for anything if your wife is in full time work.
 
So after working for the last thirty four years I am now a NOTHING and will have to be a KEPT man. No independence.
 
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