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"Regular benefits" means benefits payable to an individual under the "unemployment compensation law" (R.S.43:21-1 et seq.), including benefits payable to federal civilian employees and to ex-service members pursuant to 5 U.S.C. chapter 85, but not including additional benefits provided pursuant to P.L.1992, c.47 (C.43:21-57 et seq.) or extended benefits.

"Self-employment assistance activities" means activities, approved by the division, in which an individual participates for the purpose of establishing a business and becoming self- employed, including: activities in which the individual participates in connection with self- employment assistance services; and other activities in which the individual engages to establish the business, which may, at the discretion of the division, include participation in a peer group.

"Self-employment assistance allowance" means an allowance, payable in lieu of regular benefits and from the unemployment compensation fund, to an individual participating in self- employment assistance activities who meets the requirements of P.L.1995, c.394 (C.43:21-67 et al.).

"Self-employment assistance services" means services provided to an individual, including entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical assistance, to help the individual to develop a business plan, establish a business and become self-employed, including entrepreneurial training and technical assistance supported by training grants provided pursuant to subsection b. of section 6 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-6).

"Worker profiling system" means the worker profiling system established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1992, c.46 (C.43:21-4.1).

"Workforce Development Partnership Program" means the program created pursuant to P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-1 et seq.).

L.1995,c.394,s.3.

43:21-70. Self-employment assistance allowance; conditions

4. a. Any unemployed individual who qualifies for regular benefits and is identified through the worker profiling system as likely to exhaust regular benefits may apply to the division for a self-employment assistance allowance. If the individual is selected to receive a self- employment assistance allowance, the Department of Labor may also provide the individual with any available self-employment assistance services it deems appropriate, including services available from the Workforce Development Partnership Program, or the department may refer the individual to any other private or public entity it deems appropriate to provide the services. The department shall provide the individual with appropriate information available to the department regarding possible sources of financing for entrepreneurial activities, including information obtained from the Department of Banking and information regarding suitable "micro-lending" programs.