Can I claim Housing Benefits if I become self-employed?

999mph

Hi

After many months of being Unemployed and claiming both JSA and Housing Benefits, I have finally decided to become self-employed as of a few weeks from now.

I was told that when I do take the plunge, I will still be able to claim £50 per week from the JobCentre for the first 12 weeks or so (in the form of some other type of benefit).

My question is, will I still be able to continue claiming Housing Benefits as well until the sail it properly set at my end?

Cheers. :beer:

concerned43

Short answer is depends. It depends on your income - not on whether you are employed or self-employed. They will also require to see proof of your income.

Jowo_2

Use the Turn2us online benefit calculator to model your eligibility for housing benefit (or local housing allowance if a private tenant) according to your self-employment income. Check the HMRC site to see if you would be eligible for any tax credits (or provide details here of your age, if single, any dependents and weekly hours and other members will provide some info).

999mph

What if my current self-employed income is at a zero?

terryw

Then that is the figure that you use for applying for benefits which are means-tested.

reduceditem

999mph wrote: »

What if my current self-employed income is at a zero?

You should get your benefits, though I think it will be income support rather than JSA.

Income Support has a up to (EDIT) a £25 'disregard'..... as long as you are earning less than this a week (averaged out over about 8 weeks), you'll still get full benefits. Every £ over £25 you earn will come off your income support on a £ for £ basis and other benefits start to get affected.

Learn about all the 'allowable expenses' you can put down for your business, to keep any profit to a minimum for the first while.

Indie_Kid

reduceditem wrote: »

You should get your benefits, though I think it will be income support rather than JSA.

Income Support has a £25 'disregard'..... as long as you are earning less than this a week (averaged out over about 8 weeks), you'll still get full benefits. Every £ over £25 you earn will come off your income support on a £ for £ basis and other benefits start to get affected.

Learn about all the 'allowable expenses' you can put down for your business, to keep any profit to a minimum for the first while.

Why would the OP get IS? The disregards are between £5 (single person) and £20 per week. (disabled or responsible for a child [single or couple])

reduceditem

sh1305 wrote: »

Why would the OP get IS? The disregards are between £5 (single person) and £20 per week. (disabled or responsible for a child [single or couple])

I assumed that if they start self-employed work then they no longer get JSA, but IS instead (assuming they qualify).

I helped someone last year start self-employed work. They were a carer who received Carer's Allowance and IS.....they were told by the benefits agency that there is a £25 disregard on earnings before it would affect their IS.

Could be wrong as I'm no expert but that's defo what they were told.

Edit: yes, you are quite right....I think that was very specific to the person I helprd and their circumstances.

Indie_Kid

reduceditem wrote: »

I assumed that if they start self-employed work then they no longer get JSA, but IS instead (assuming they qualify).

If they work less than 16 hours, they can get JSA. They can get NI paid if they work less than 16 hours and earn over more than what JSA is plus a disregard of £5 - £20.