Self Employment -> Debts -> JSA -> other benefits - help please

jnmast222

A brief history of .....

I'm an ex IT contractor, was getting older (50s - less work for oldies), worried about future for family, took up financial markets trading 3 1/2 years ago (self employed), lost money, gained debt, sold house, now renting, paid off debt, persevered with trading, stubborn, didn't learn, gained more debt (idiot).

Realising my stupidity, with no money and a prospect of Bankrupty/IVA, I decide to try to get back into the IT world of work.

I recently applied for JSA, Housing Benefit, Housing Register (1st timer) and started looking for work.

I'd be very, very grateful if someone could give me some advice - getting really worried.

1) The JSA Decision Makers team have asked me to fill in a self employed verification form, giving details of the money from my house sale 1 1/2 years ago and asking for bank statements etc. Presumably they want to make sure I've been living off the proceeds and don't have funds above the limit for JSA. Fair enough.

Will being self-employed stop me from getting JSA or make it more difficult? I haven't paid any NI contributions for the 3 1/2 years. Also, should I mention I'm in debt? Although they haven't asked, I can imagine that they wouldn't be too keen on the JSA being swallowed up by paying some of the debt off.

2) Our tenancy (fixed term) is up in February and will not be renewed. The housing benefit people need me to provide proof of JSA award letter when received before approval. What happens if JSA is not approved? Is it still possible to claim in some other way? What about the housing register?

Thanks very much to anyone who can spare the time to reply.

Three_Dancing_Dragons

Don't be afraid to give them full financial picture including debts. Sometimes JSA is delayed for a period while you live off accumulated assets but in this case you don't have any. Give them your books too. Proving you've only made losses in self employment would also help.

jnmast222

Thanks for replying TDD. Very helpful. I'll send what you suggest.

Does anybody know whether not having a JSA should have to affect housing benefit? See (2) above.

MDF_Goblin

No, you do not need to be getting JSA to get Housing Benefit. Your income for Benefit purposes just needs to be below a certain amount.

Saying that, the reason why you are not awarded JSA may result in the council making its own enquiries - such as if they found you to have had capital exceeding £16,000 or you had deprived yourself of capital etc and they may then of course come to the same conclusion as the DWP who administer JSA.

JSA is not the key to HB. Just being broke is.