Self employeed, housing and council tax benefit

rebeccalb

Ok so I'm currently getting council tax beneift, housiing benefit and job seekers allowance, whilst i'm looking for work. I'm 19 by the way so this is all i can claim.
However considering the current enviroment I'm considering going self employeed, something I've done before.
My question is how will my housing and council tax be affected. I doubt I'd make much of a profit in the first year, so I'm wondering about the support I can get. Also how would they determine anything i could claim?

karenx

You would need to take in your books every month or 2 for them to acess. Im assuming you dont get all your rent paid as your under 35, if your making no money how will you make up shortfall etc?

Horace

Not sure if you would be able to get working tax credits but you would need to be working 30+hrs a week. I know that when I was on it - I got £51.85 a week and that is as an single person over 25yrs. I then had to provide all my accounts to the council to claim housing and council tax benefits.

You have to really want to work for yourself and be passionate about what it is that you will be doing. You will work long hours for less than the minimum wage and you will spend a lot of time on your own. You will need to be disciplined and self reliant.

BigAunty

You can model the impact of your Self Employed income on the Turn2us online benefit calculator.

You may be eligible for Working Tax Credits if you have a low income - see the HMRC website for the terms.

Make sure you keep thorough records, including how you spend your time as the HMRC are currently challenging many SE WTC recipients who didn't think to keep a diary breaking down their working time and appointments and now have no proof that they worked the required hours in a renumerative capacity. The latter part of this thread will help you.

I believe there is some kind of enterprise scheme that the job center run for certain claimants wanting to be self employed that could help you. The business link website is an excellent resource for you to help you with your business - it's important to do a business plan. Also, look at the Princes Trust website as they help the young into self employment.

Good luck.

karenx

Working tax credits only applies if over 25

BigAunty

karenx wrote: »

Working tax credits only applies if over 25

Gah, I completely forgot that. These days it seems like everyone gets them so I actually forgot there are small groups that have no eligibility...