With support from New Enterprise Allowance Razan set up Yorkshire Dama Cheese. Three years later she is an award-winning entrepreneur with a rapidly expanding business. Filmed prior to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Ever fancied striking out and setting up your own company? You could get mentoring and an allowance to help you get things going through the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA).
You’ll need to be receiving certain benefits and have a business idea that could work.
Take a look (external link) at the inspiring journeys of other budding entrepreneurs going from being out of work to becoming their own boss with the support of NEA.
Get started with NEA
Speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach – they will explain how NEA could help you. They will also tell you about the support that volunteer business mentors offer in the early months of trading. You can also get in touch with your local NEA provider direct.
Who’s eligible?
You may be eligible if you’re over 18 and either:
- You or your partner get Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
- You get Income Support and you’re a lone parent, sick or disabled
What you’ll get
You’ll get a mentor who’ll give you advice and support to help you set up your business and start to trade.
Once you’ve made a business plan that your mentor has approved, you:
- May get a weekly allowance worth up to £1,274 over 26 weeks
- Can apply for a loan to help with start-up costs
Interested?
To check if you’re eligible for New Enterprise Allowance, speak to your work coach (external link) or contact them by signing in to your Universal Credit account.
You can contact your local NEA provider direct if you want to find out more. They’ll also check whether you are eligible:
| Area | Contact |
| Birmingham and Solihull/Black Country | Email tony.walters@peopleplus.co.uk or call 07881 918235 |
| East Anglia/Leicestershire and Northamptonshire/Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland | Email michelle.mcareavey@pinnaclepeople.co.uk or call 07738 444141 |
| Mercia/Midland shires | Email Philip.brook@standguide.co.uk or call 07733 261682 |
| Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire/Essex/Kent | Email greg.tello@ixionholdings.com or call 07850 775038 |
| East London/South London | Email Geoff.evans@ixionholdings.co.uk or call 07534 214136 |
| North London/West London | Email zaheer.lodhi@ixionholdings.co.uk or call 07850 774663 |
| Durham and Tees Valley/Northumberland, Tyne and Wear | Email davidliddle@gateshead.gov.uk or call 0191 433 2852 |
| South Yorkshire/North and East Yorkshire and the Humber/West Yorkshire | Email Stephen.petrie@pinnaclepeople.co.uk or call 07710 308151 |
| Cumbria and Lancashire/Merseyside | Email Magdalena@cumbriachamber.co.uk or call 0845 226 0040 |
| Greater Manchester/Cheshire | Email matthew.hannant@peopleplus.co.uk or call 07970 382603 |
| Scotland | Email geraldene.muir@peopleplus.co.uk or call 07595 088472 |
| Devon, Cornwall and Somerset/Avon, Severn, Thames | Email amy.miles@peopleplus.co.uk or call 07971 513517 |
| Berkshire, Surrey, Sussex/Dorset, Wiltshire. Hampshire & OIW | Email edwardine.simms@pinnaclepeople.co.uk or call 07872 450490 |
| Wales | Email danny.shine@businessassociates.com or call 07484 524583 |
If you’re disabled or you have a health condition
You may be able to get extra support through an Access to Work (external link) grant.
You can read more about NEA (external link) at gov.uk.