Self employed - can I get sickness benefit?

EnnahojB

I am a self employed childminder. I have been diagnosed with pneumonia on 1st Jan and having been to Drs today she has signed me off for at least another 2 weeks. Can I get any sickness benefit? I am having to pay for my son to go preschool full time as I am unable to look after him. My partner works full time.
Many thanks for your help.

Caz3121

Assuming you have been paying class 2 NI, it looks like you can't
Class 2 contributions do not normally count towards the additional State Pension, Statutory Sick Pay or Jobseeker's Allowance, so you might want to think about making other arrangements like a personal pension and income protection insurance.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/working/intro/class2.htm

Vejovis

according to this, it looks like you can http://www.dwp.gov.uk/healthcare-professional/benefits-and-services/statutory-sick-pay/

Caz3121

Vejovis wrote: »

according to this, it looks like you can http://www.dwp.gov.uk/healthcare-professional/benefits-and-services/statutory-sick-pay/

The link I had does not mention ESA so this looks like it could be possible. Whether you will get any payment will depend on the NI contributions in the applicable tax years, partners income is likely to mean income based will not be applicable

von

If you're Class 2 NI contributions have been paid you should be entitled to Contribution-based Employment & Support Allowance, you won't be entitled to Income-based ESA because it is means tested and as your partner works more than 24 hours per week you're not entitled to it. See link on how to claim (you can claim from the date you first became sick as long as it's within 3 months from the date you claim)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Illorinjured/DG_172014