Jobcentre Plus can provide a range of help to start your business if you have been claiming benefits for six months or longer (earlier for people meeting certain qualifying conditions), through certain Jobcentre Plus programmes, including New Deal.

This help is delivered in three stages by self-employment specialists.

Stage 1 - Awareness Session
This is a one day course with a business consultant to explore whether you have a business idea which is likely to succeed, and make sure that you are aware of what self-employment entails.

Stage 2 - Business Planning
This is training for one day a week for up to 8 weeks, where you will receive advice, guidance and training in the various aspects of setting up and running a business. At the end of this stage you will have produced a business plan.

Stage 3 - Test Trading
This stage allows you to test out your business whilst still getting Jobcentre Plus allowance payments (income support for lone parents) and/or tax credits, and ongoing support from a business expert. Test trading can last up to a maximum of 26 weeks.

Support from a business expert continues for up to two years after you have finished on the programme and are trading independently.

Please ask at your Jobcentre Plus office for further details, including eligibility conditions.