City Wide Grant
Grant Criteria To be eligible for a grant you must comply with the following criteria: • • • • • • • •
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Be a business start up and over the age of 18. Live or have business premises in the City of Stoke-on-Trent.(i.e. pay Council Tax or business rates to Stoke-on-Trent City Council) A clear need for the grant must be demonstrated and the applicant must not commit themselves to expenditure on the project until the grant has been approved. The applicant must agree to discuss with their business adviser the financial implications and aspects of their business. A business plan should be provided, with profit and loss and cash flow forecasts. 100% start up grants are available for unemployed clients who are prepared to sign-off benefits to start their business with a maximum grant of £1500. 50% grants available to employed people who are prepared to start their own business with a maximum of £1500 grant. 50% grants available for small businesses employing up to 10 people with a maximum of £5000 where at least one new job is being created for at least 6 months and the post being offered as an interview guarantee to a JET Centre. The level of grant will vary dependent on need and grant fund availability. Where this is not the total finance needed for the project, the applicant will need to show that other funds are available to enable the project to commence before any monies can be released. The amount awarded will be decided by the assessment panel. Evidence of either quotation or invoice will be required before the grant can be paid. For any equipment over £1000 three quotations will be required. Monitoring visits will be carried out following the issue of a grant during the following 12 months. Eligible costs are the costs properly and exclusively payable for the Project listed on the application, excluding input VAT unless this is unable to be claimed back.
City Test Trading Programme
Are you in receipt of benefits such as Income Support, Disability Allowance, and Incapacity Benefit and interested in self-employment? How you can claim a training allowance whilst starting your own business:
ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA You are eligible for City Test Trading Programme if you: •
Are aged 18 and over In receipt of benefits such as Income Support, Disability Allowance, Incapacity Benefit
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Are a resident in the City of Stoke-on-Trent and be paying Council Tax to Stoke-On-Trent Council You are unemployed You are unable to claim the Self Employment Credits from the Department of Work & Pensions via your Job Centre You are not an overseas national subject to employment restrictions or to a time limit on your stay in Great Britain (other than a refugee or asylum seeker). You must not have accessed another Government programme in the last six months Are not at the same time, on any other Jobcentre Plus funded programme or have accessed one in the last six months. Have produced a viable business plan including cash flow forecast.
What the programme offers you: You can become your own boss: • • • •
You can receive an allowance of £100.00 per week for a 13 week period You will be rewarded for you own effort and skill and can work towards an NVQ Level 3 in Business Start Up You can obtain comprehensive training in business processes and procedures FREE OF CHARGE You get to keep all the profits
Please note that there is a competitive, robust selection process for the programme, priority will be given to Young people aged 18 - 24, Women of all ages, ethnic minorities and people with health and disability conditions that affect their daily life.