Failed Esa Medical - CLAIMING JSA..NEED ADVICE GOING SELF-EMPLOYED

viv559

Hi, can anyone help me with some advice, without going into great detail i failed my medical with 6 points i needed 15 to get extra support. Ive signed on jsa only because i know to appeal would make my health worse.....anyway i have to go to the job center next week..and the best way for me to work and support my 2 children is to become self-employed. Does anyone know if i will get any help funds are tight and they have said i will not get jsa for 14 days..?
Do i go self employed straight away or sign on ..really unsure what to do...thank you

soolin

Im no expert so wait for the people that can help to see your thread and respond. However, you mention going self employed, do you have the business all set up and ready to go and is it likely to make enough money for you and your children?

If so why not go for it?

viv559

Ive got just about all i need, im at the start really i haven't got a client base yet ...so it wont bring cash in straight away..i think i will get wft- child benefit but not much else..i just know im hard working and i do want to make a better life for my children..thank you soolin

soolin

viv559 wrote: »

Ive got just about all i need, im at the start really i haven't got a client base yet ...so it wont bring cash in straight away..i think i will get wft- child benefit but not much else..i just know im hard working and i do want to make a better life for my children..thank you soolin

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along in a moment to help you, but good luck with whatever it is you decide to do. You might also want to browse some of the other boards here on MSE, there are ideas on saving money as well as some general supportive threads were people just support each other through a difficult patch.

viv559

Thank you..for the advice, i will take a look at the boards now ..best wishes

kaya

so you tried to claim benefits stating you were too ill to work, but now you failed it your well enough to go self employed, ill get some popcorn and wait for the benefit bashers to give you a flaming, a very brave post !

wombles_forever

AFAIK the benefits for self employment are in the process of being changed atm so every area is different so I would advise asking at the JCP when you have your interview next week to find out what is available to you at this time.

If you claim JSA you will still have to sign on fortnightly and provide evidence of looking for paid work.

If you want to be self employed and claim working tax credits, you would have to work at least 16 hours a week (assuming that your children are still dependent) and be able to prove that you are doing this if required.

viv559

ta kaya...but yes im not 100% fit for work but hey ...not everyone cares and you should be happy i do want to work...! i have worked and support my children before but some times my mental health lets me down..i love how some people are so quick to judge and it was the job center who advised me to claim esa as they knew i was & still am .. ill......!!!! ...

CFC

Viv, you say you have MH issues and you are still not well. Do you know how stressful it is to be self employed, and are you sure that this is the right time to try to go self employed? You are going to have to sell yourself in order to get clients, are you going to be able to make a good job of that right now?