Need Help Building a Self-Employment Assistance Program?
You’ve come to the right place! Begin here by exploring information, examples, resources and tools to help you get the job done!
Self-Employment Assistance
- Provides another reemployment alternative for unemployed workers
- Promotes job creation
- Helps grow state and local economies
Small Business Administration Spotlight
The SBA can help states and partners effectively administer their SEA program through its vast partner network including:
- Small Business Development Centers
- Women’s Business Centers
- SCORE Association -“Counselors to America’s Small Business”
This network offers hands-on mentoring and training to help unemployed individuals understand the challenges, opportunities, and growth potential of small business start-ups. These budding entrepreneurs are assigned to work directly with counselors who guide them every step of the way as they get their businesses up and running, ultimately helping to create their own jobs and new jobs for others.
What is Self-Employment Assistance?
The Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEA) is designed to encourage and support unemployed workers in creating their own jobs by starting their own small businesses. Under these programs, States pay a self-employed benefit, instead of regular unemployment insurance benefits, to help unemployed entrepreneurs while they are establishing businesses and becoming self-employed. It offers UI claimants the opportunity to try out commercial ideas with:
- The support of experienced mentors and training providers
- The income security of unemployment insurance
The Department of Labor recently provided guidance on new opportunities for states to develop new SEA programs or enhance current programs.
Training for Entrepreneurs
Money Smart for Small Business
This new instructor-led training curriculum developed jointly by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) contains 10 training modules covering key topics for new and aspiring entrepreneurs including:
- Financial Management
- Record Keeping
- Banking Services for Small Businesses
- Credit Reporting
- Risk Management
- Insurance
- Tax Planning and Reporting
The FDIC and the SBA invite stakeholders to order and begin teaching this free curriculum.
