Benefit advice urgently required

XEO25

Hello, I'm hoping someone can advise me here on my current financial situation. I've read through the DWP and DirectGov websites but it's a bit of a mine field.

My partner and I have been on JSA since December 2010 as a joint claim. We also receive housing benefit and council tax benefit together.

Last week I signed off JSA and on to the new government self employment scheme, the New Enterprise Allowance scheme.

The NEA scheme helps those on JSA get in to self employment by paying them £65 per week for 13 weeks followed by £33 per week for another 13 weeks. You are no longer on JSA and therefore loose that benefit as you are classed as self employed. The £65 per week from the NEA is not counted as income when being assesed for any other benefits such as housing or council tax.

So now my partner who is still unemployed will need to sign on to JSA as a single claim. She did the phone interview today and got her appointment at the job centre for next week. However when I rang the job centre today to confirm her appointment, I was told that because I was self employed, she wouldn't be able to claim JSA.

Can anyone confirm if this is true, and if so, what can she claim?

I was told she or I might be able to claim working tax credits? Can anyone tell me how these are worked out for someone who is self employed and therefore has an iregular income? (different amounts each month)

I'm becoming a self employed graphic designer but I haven't had any work come through yet. Do I get the maximum amount until I get my first job?

Thanks to anyone who can help

seeke

The benefits system is a mess, isn't it. You and your OH have my sympathy.
Look here for more info:

//taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/Qualify/WhatAreTaxCredits.aspx

(sorry, forum rules prevent me from posting a proper link as I'm a new user)

You will probably find that you will receive a bit less than you were getting on JSA. On the positive side, you won't have to sign on, and AFAIK the credit is paid for the following year based upon your previous year's income. This means that you keep getting the credit even if your business starts to turn a profit.

BTW Shane, I'm interested in the new enterprise allowance scheme. I qualify, as I've been claiming JSA for more than 6 months now. The DirectGov website is quite opaque about NEA. It says that the scheme has now been rolled-out nationally, for more info contact your jobcentre.

My jobcentre tell me that the scheme isn't operated by them. They depend upon a third party organisation run things...but they don't know who or where that organisation is!:rotfl: I think this is just a teething issue as the NEA is so new. But could you please share your experience re. how you accessed the scheme, did you obtain the £1000 loan, did you obtain any mentoring? This kind of detail is very useful, as there's precious little information elsewhere.

UPDATE/EDIT! Shane, I've just come across your excellent "NEA My Experience" thread, so ignore much of the above.

SpiralingDown

Sorry to hear about ur situation but the info given is correct about ur OH not being entitled to JSA as far as I'm aware.
It happened to me about 11 yrs ago, we were both working then I was signed off sick after having our DS but hadn't worked in the company long enough or have enough NI contributions (had 2.5 yrs worth but needed 3yrs!) but was told that even if I did I wouldn't qualify cause OH was still working they even had the cheek to ask would he not quit and make a joint claim!!!
As for self employed tax credits they work nearly the same u have to work 16 hrs or more if u have kids or I think it's 30hrs if none. U give them an estimate of income for the year but unlike employed people there is no lea way if u under estimate ur income u have to pay them back some money but if u over estimate it they pay the extra to you when u send them ur actual income by the end of Jan.
I'm self employed and I always over estimate what I earn so that I don't pay anything back, just remember to ring them by 1st week in Feb to give them ur actual as shown on ur tax return or they take ur estimate as ur actual and u may loose money.
I hope u can understand this, if u have anmore questions send me a message and good luck for ur new business