Claiming JSA while working

Scaredy_Cat_3

I have a part time job from which I may be made redundant in the next couple of months. I've been there less than 2 years so will not qualify for redundancy money.

I am also registered as self employed for casual work that I do separate to my part time job. If I am made redundant, will the fact that I am still registered as self employed mean that I can't claim JSA?

Should I inform the tax man that I am no longer self employed at around the same time I am made redundant, so that I could then claim JSA? Would I be able to continue the casual self employed work and still claim some JSA?

Just trying to work out what the options are at this stage.

Thank you.

Hammyman

Surely as self employed, the obvious answer is to go look for more business? You have to inform tax credits of a change in circumstance anyway so give them a projected figure for gross profit and they'll adjust the tax credits award accordingly.

Scaredy_Cat_3

Thanks but it's not that kind of self-employment. I do a bit of mystery shopping and am registered self employed for that. It's really not a 'proper' income, bringing in so little. There is the option to increase the number of jobs I take on, IF they are available, but as I said, at this stage I'm just looking at the options and want to know where I stand.

I MAY want to devote my time to looking for a job rather than scrabbling around to earn an extra fiver here and there so really wanted to know if the fact that I am registered as self employed would prevent me from claiming JSA.

Hammyman

Self employment will have an impact but you would be OK to claim providing the S/E is not more than 16hrs and the income not more than the rate you'd get for JSA.