Checklist: information for self-employed people

• Introduction

Introduction

If you are self-employed and have had a downturn in business and a reduction in your income you can use the links and lists below to check out your entitlements.

Setting up a business	Becoming self-employed and Setting up a business give you a broad overview of the factors involved in setting up a business, including information on types of self-employment, tax, PRSI, legal issues and sources of support.
Supports for unemployed people	Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Short-term Enterprise Allowance
Problems with self-employment	If you are no longer earning enough from self-employment, or your business has to close down, you may qualify for a social welfare payment. You do not need to deregister as self-employed to get a payment.
Getting a social welfare payment	Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) (for people with sufficient PRSI contributions) Jobseeker's Allowance Claiming for an adult dependant Claiming for a child dependant Signing on for the first time
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme	Additional Needs Payments
Maintaining your social insurance record	Becoming a voluntary contributor Signing on for credits (in some cases self-employed people may be able to sign for credited PRSI contributions)
Getting credit	Microfinanceireland.ie is a website for small businesses looking for information about financing or funding their business. If you have a small or medium business and your application for credit is refused you may be able to apply to the Credit Review Office to have your case reviewed.
Checking your employment status	Code of Practice for determining Employment or Self- Employment status of Individuals (pdf) Revenue Guidelines for Determining Employment Status for Taxation Purposes (pdf) Understanding your employment status
Education and training	Back to Education Programme Back to Education Allowance Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
Employment support schemes	There are a number of schemes to support people who are unemployed and want to get back to work.
Other sources of information	Local Enterprise Offices The Revenue Commissioners The Companies Registration Office Toil and Trouble: A Guide to Self-Employment (2009) (pdf)