I want to come off benefits, but. - help

sashacally

Hello, I have 2 children and have been looking for a job, but there is really nothing around, I am very good at photography and was hoping to get into my own photography business as quite a lot of people want to pay, I have been reluctant, and have not charged for anything so far, I have just kept it as a hobby, I really want to make something of it and come off benefits altogether, I hate not supporting myself at the moment. If i came off benefits, I could make money one week, and nothing the next, I need to get into a good pattern of work, but as I have not charged yet as I am not allowed, I have no idea how much I would make. My ideal choice now, would be to be allowed to charge, keep signed reciepts, and then give the money back to the government and due tax, leaving me with the same amount I would usually get, I am not looking for more money than i have already, I just want to support myself, but being able to grow myself into a work, I am not sure if there is a scheme like this to allow me?, I would be selfish to allow myself to completely come off benefits, knowing I could end up with nothing one month, leaving my children without enough for food/essential items, I do not smoke or drink, I do not take my benefits for granted like a lot of people, and only have enough for essential living material.
Thankyou for your help.

gizmo111

Yu would be self employed and claim tax credits based on estimated earnings - could cause problems with housing and ct benefit though which are worked out differently. Go into job centre and talk to one of their advisors.

merlin1

hi sashacally;

this is my first time posting on these boards, and i'm damned sure i'm out of date now, but i managed to do exactly what you need to do but it was about 8 years ago! :rotfl:

i went onto the new deal for loan parents, self employed programme. as a self employed artist and airbrusher of all things vehicle.

they put me on a course with a company that advises and trains people for small business, business plan, marketing, advertising, opening bank accounts, small business book keeping etc. they were also co- signatories on the business account so nothing could leave the account without their say-so.

then i was allowed a period of 6 mths 'trading'. during this 6 months i was on my benefits as usual, any money my business took went into the business account but any money that needed to come out ie expenses or supplies, had to be counter signed by my advisor.

at the end of the six months, if they thought the business was viable and i was happy to continue then i was set free and off the benefits i came. if not then nothing lost but back to square one! i was lucky and went on to run a successfull business for about 5 years til the downturn started 2 years ago, i stopped the business and went full time employed, i swear my employers looked at my skills as self employed favourably! win win!

do go and have a chat with your advisor at the job centre - i'm not sure if anything is like that in place any more but you never know!

and good luck too! i hope you get the outcome you desire! :cool:

just editing to add - remember you will still rely on benefits to begin with, year 1 you carry the business, year 2 if you are doing ok you'll break even, year 3 the business should carry you ... you will rely heavily on tax credits and rent/council tax from the start, its a long old slog and you'll be working hours you've never anticipated but if you are determined you'll do it. good luck girl!

sashacally

merlin1 wrote: »

hi sashacally;

this is my first time posting on these boards, and i'm damned sure i'm out of date now, but i managed to do exactly what you need to do but it was about 8 years ago! :rotfl:

i went onto the new deal for loan parents, self employed programme. as a self employed artist and airbrusher of all things vehicle.

they put me on a course with a company that advises and trains people for small business, business plan, marketing, advertising, opening bank accounts, small business book keeping etc. they were also co- signatories on the business account so nothing could leave the account without their say-so.

then i was allowed a period of 6 mths 'trading'. during this 6 months i was on my benefits as usual, any money my business took went into the business account but any money that needed to come out ie expenses or supplies, had to be counter signed by my advisor.

at the end of the six months, if they thought the business was viable and i was happy to continue then i was set free and off the benefits i came. if not then nothing lost but back to square one! i was lucky and went on to run a successfull business for about 5 years til the downturn started 2 years ago, i stopped the business and went full time employed, i swear my employers looked at my skills as self employed favourably! win win!

do go and have a chat with your advisor at the job centre - i'm not sure if anything is like that in place any more but you never know!

and good luck too! i hope you get the outcome you desire! :cool:

just editing to add - remember you will still rely on benefits to begin with, year 1 you carry the business, year 2 if you are doing ok you'll break even, year 3 the business should carry you ... you will rely heavily on tax credits and rent/council tax from the start, its a long old slog and you'll be working hours you've never anticipated but if you are determined you'll do it. good luck girl!

Thankyou! Just the advice i am looking for, After 6 months if successfully getting work, is there a loan you are allowed to continue with? I can work 6 months from home, but to start an actual business, i would need a studio space to rent each week, Which i am unsure as to how i would be able to pay.
I will talk to someone at the jobcentre (i assume that's where i need to go) and see what they say!.

merlin1

sashacally wrote: »

Thankyou! Just the advice i am looking for, After 6 months if successfully getting work, is there a loan you are allowed to continue with? I can work 6 months from home, but to start an actual business, i would need a studio space to rent each week, Which i am unsure as to how i would be able to pay.
I will talk to someone at the jobcentre (i assume that's where i need to go) and see what they say!.

mate, all this was discussed during the start-up training. they will (if they still do this of course) walk you through how much you need to set up, incomings and outgoings and also business start up loans. at the time the favourable bank was barclays for all this, but it will also depend very much on your own credit ratings too when it comes to loans.

another avenue to try is your local council, and business link, they often have schemes for new business where by they may have something in place in the way of grants to aid you in your studio requirements, your business advisor again should be well up on the knowledge for this and direct you accordingly

editing again to add - i did the same started mine from home, and then continued from home. think about the space you have already, do you have a garden? then consider putting a studio in that - the councils are generally very good when it comes to home business, a few hoops to jump through but as long as it doesnt impact on noise and traffic levels they are usually quite accomadating.

sashacally

merlin1 wrote: »

mate, all this was discussed during the start-up training. they will (if they still do this of course) walk you through how much you need to set up, incomings and outgoings and also business start up loans. at the time the favourable bank was barclays for all this, but it will also depend very much on your own credit ratings too when it comes to loans.

another avenue to try is your local council, and business link, they often have schemes for new business where by they may have something in place in the way of grants to aid you in your studio requirements, your business advisor again should be well up on the knowledge for this and direct you accordingly

Thankyou, Will try to speak to them next week, hopefully will go well! Thanks for your help!

merlin1

you are very welcome! i will check back and see how you go on - like i say i dont know if anything like this is still in place! but hey nothing ventured nothing gained eh?

good luck again!

merlin1

oh and dont forget the arts council of england! they are often over looked when it comes to funding but they are also worth a call! :cool:

kingfisherblue

In my town, there is a Chamber of Commerce. They offer advice and training free of charge to new businesses, as well as grants to help people get started. Training includes health and safety, tax and NI contributions, employment law, etc.

The Prince's Trust can also help with grants if you are under 25.

Good luck x

kaywantsapug

:j This is what I'm doing too! I'm also a single mum to two children and will be starting my own baby shower business from home. I claim Incapacity.

I contacted the jobcentre and have to see Inbiz next wednesday who support me for a few months to see how things go. I'll report back with any info for you!

Also enquire in your local area about business funding. I'm getting £500 from my local chambers of commerce, £200 from sencia who are part of the job centre and £100 from my housing associations ice fund as I'm a tenant of theirs.

Moonfruit is a website where you can create your own website until you can afford one.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

Indie_Kid

Can I suggest you post the question on http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=27 which is the small biz forum. There are people over there who know about grants / loans for start-up.