Self-employed & housing benefit

jezabel

Hello...i need some advices...i am self-employed, i started this business more than one year ago...i am receiving working tax credit and housing benefit at the moment as i do not earn enough money to cover all my costs.

Does anyone know if there is a housing benefit threshold? I am paying my national insurance now. Thank you liz

Merry_Wanderer

Hi, I am self employed and earn a low income so get housing benefit. If I am to receive my maximum housing benefit then I am only allowed to make a 'profit' (wage) of about £64 a week which is the equivelant of income support I think. The calculation is based on a yearly figure though. If my profit is any higher, I would be paid less housing benefit than my rent.

I am curious about you getting the working tax credits, could you please let me know about this because I was told that I couldn't get this because I couldn't prove how many hours I worked. Maybe it's because I have no kids. I was wondering if I could be better off claiming WTC and even not getting housing benefit, it's a bit confusing.

fluffymovie

There is no threshold for LHA and it isn't quite the right way to look at it to say that you can only earn a certain amount to get full HB.

A claim for HB or LHA for someone who is self employed can be more complex but it depends on your accounts. We then look at a certain period of time which is representative of your business and then calculate an income.

Depending on your household composition, rent and any other income you may have, the calculation can be very different.

There is no threshold for HB when considering self employed earnings.