am i entitled to anything

fiddlesticks

I currently work around 30 hours a week in a self employed and casual setting earning around £250 a month (and yes i know that's less than NMW but as its self employment NMW doesn't apply and I didn't set the rate). This means that I am not entitled to JSA, I COULD
cut my hours and sign on but I would hate to do that as i find the process humiliating and degrading.

I have a long term mental health issue that has lead to me being sacked from several 'proper' jobs. If i had managed to work for the necessary 2 years, my condition would probably entitle me to old IB but i don't know about the ESA. I need help finding and keeping employment and I have no idea how to access that help. As far as i can tell I am not entitled to DLA

I currently live with my parents so have no housing costs but I would like to be able to give them rent or even move out.

Is there any benefit that I could be missing out on? and where can i access employment help.

I know that the new mental health strategy is supposed to have people to help with employment in each local team but that only applies in england and I live in a rural area of scotland.

MrsManda

I'm not sure if there's much difference in the benefits between in England and Scotland but it may be worth putting your details in to the benefits advisors below:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=

Employment Support Allowance is for people who cannot work so you'd be unlikely to be able to claim that unless your condition gets worse.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/index.htm

DLA is for care/mobility needs, do you have any care/mobility needs?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10012424

It may be worth seeing your local CAB office or calling their helpline to see if you are entitled to anything.
http://www.cas.org.uk/

There's a supported employment policy in Scotland which may be of interest to you:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/23093849/0
I think it's meant to be implemented by your local authority so may be worth asking your LA if they have a mental health support team you can speak to

Indie_Kid

How old are you?

fiddlesticks

sorry, should have mentioned that, I'm 35

patman99

If you pay Class 1 NIC's instead of the usual Class 2, then you will be entitled to full benefits anyway as you will be paying the same as a PAYE employee.

Can you not claim Working Tax Credits.

fiddlesticks

I might be but how would that work, I don't pay tax as I don't earn enough?

McKneff

If youre working 30 hours a week and getting casual work yu shoud be paying at least something towards your keep.

Hammyman

fiddlesticks wrote: »

(and yes i know that's less than NMW but as its self employment NMW doesn't apply and I didn't set the rate).

If you didn't set the rate and someone else dictates the price then you're not truly self employed.

fiddlesticks

Hammyman wrote: »

If you didn't set the rate and someone else dictates the price then you're not truly self employed.

well yes according to the definitions its iffy if I am actually self employed but the company is of the opion that I am and I am infinitely replaceable there so I'm not in a place to argue.

McKneff wrote: »

If youre working 30 hours a week and getting casual work yu shoud be paying at least something towards your keep.

Yes I should one of the many reasons why i want to know if I am missing something in the benefits system so I can do so. The 30 hours a week is variable though and could end at any time

I currently pay class 2 NI i wasn't aware that the self-employed were able to pay class 1

healy

fiddlesticks wrote: »

well yes according to the definitions its iffy if I am actually self employed but the company is of the opion that I am and I am infinitely replaceable there so I'm not in a place to argue.


Yes I should one of the many reasons why i want to know if I am missing something in the benefits system so I can do so. The 30 hours a week is variable though and could end at any time

I currently pay class 2 NI i wasn't aware that the self-employed were able to pay class 1

The self-employed do not pay class 1 NI, if you are self-employed you are correct to pay class 2.