Long term sick, now resigned.Help needed.

Janey51

To be brief. I am 55, recently widowed, no dependents.
18 months ago I was in a very responsible job and took early retirement when the pressure got too much.
Took a much lower paid but less stressful job.
4 months later (June 08) my husband died suddenly. No money and we were already in a DMP through the CCCS.
I was off sick following the bereavement but managed to return to work for a month before having an operation. A projected 2 week absence became 3 months after complications.
During this time, my mother became very ill and I had so many other problems in my life I became unable to face the idea of returning to work so resigned.
I have my pension and a small pension from my husband.
My house is rented. I am claiming Council Tax single occupant reduction.
I am not allowed to sublet and I am still not good in stressful situations.
I have no nearby relatives.

I have the chance of working 12 hours a week earning £6 an hour but the employer wishes to pay me by cheque and leave me to sort out tax etc.

Can someone please tell me if I can just buy my own NI stamp and sort my tax?
I used to be so good at this kind of thing but I am a wreck now. I need to work.
My pensions are about £700 a month and I have some savings which will stop me getting rent rebate or Council Tax rebate.

I could have carred on being signed off sick for my previous employer but i felt so guilty. My sick note finishes on Thursday and I am waiting to hear if I can get Employment and Support allowance.

Please help me.

Horace

Hi

What you need to do is set up as a self employed person - you need to contact the HMRC to do this (do this sooner rather than later as they can give you a hefty fine - this isnt meant to scare you). https://www.hmrc.gov.uk - they can help you with your NI too as you will be paying class 2 and class 4 on any profits - if you are on a low income you may be eligible for working tax credits and a NI exemption certificate. The HMRC also offer free courses in how to fill out a self assessment tax form too and they will be able to tell you what you can and cannot claim for.

You will also need to let your local council know that you will be self employed and they will stop your housing and council tax benefit for a time whilst they sort it all out, if you can prove you get working tax credits and have an NI exemption certificate then they reinstate it.

Good luck.