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What is Short-Term Enterprise Allowance?

If you get Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, you can keep the same weekly payment for up to 9 months while you start an approved business.

The key facts

  • Same weekly rate as your jobseeker payment, for up to 9 months
  • No minimum time on the payment; an Intreo adviser must recommend it first
  • Taxable; seasonal or part-time self-employment does not qualify

Before you’re approved

Job search required

Job search

You stay on Jobseeker’s Benefit, and its job-search conditions, until STEA starts.

What you must do to keep getting it

  • Apply BEFORE you start trading, with a business plan your Intreo adviser recommends in writing.
  • The business must be new and run all year.

If you take or turn down a job: Refusing suitable work can mean up to 9 weeks’ disqualification.

While you’re on it

No job search required

Job search

STEA is paid instead of Jobseeker’s Benefit while you run the business. No job search.

What you must do to keep getting it

  • Register with Revenue. STEA ends when your Jobseeker’s Benefit would have ended; after that you’d claim means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance.
  • Report straight away if the business stops.

If you earn money

STEA is paid at your Jobseeker’s Benefit rate for as long as your Jobseeker’s Benefit would have lasted, and is taxable like it. Your business profit is taxed and pays PRSI at Class S.

If you take or turn down a job: No employee job while on STEA. Report it immediately if you start one.

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Cite this page

"What is Short-Term Enterprise Allowance?", Pontia, https://pontia.xyz/ie/guide/stea/ (updated 25 September 2026)

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