Self Employment and Housing benefit

xandos159

Hi guys, I'm after a bit of advice about my situation and the people that I've spoken to haven't really been of much help.

I was previously on Jobseekers allowance and housing benefit, though upon finding work self employed I cancelled JSA. Whilst I haven't as yet actually receieved my pay for this job (1 months worth of work), I am owed about 3.5k. The trouble is, now the work is over and I don't know when next I'll be able to find more self employed work (I was promised soon but hasn't materialised yet).

Whilst I haven't officially cancelled housing benefit, I haven't cashed any cheques since I started working. I remember hearing about how you could be on housing benefit whilst starting up a business if you aren't making much money, and this was confirmed when I asked benefits people. However, they gave me a form to fill out detailing expected income/expenses from the business - the trouble is that I have no way to project my 3 months income. For example I could get more work straight away or not for months - and I'm not really unemployed again because I'm searching for clients for my business, so am technically working still, just for no money.

I'm sorry if this post is a bit vague and circular, does anyone have any advice on the best way to approach this?

I don't suppose there's a way to still collect HB and then repaying it assuming I get enough money to scrape by without it?

Thanks for reading!

fluffymovie

Hi

A couple of things here

1 - you must inform HB that you have stopped receiving JSA - your claim would need to be suspended whilst they look at your new circumstances.

2 - We do need some sort of figure to base your In Work Claim on so you really have to try and give a projection. I am assuming that when you signed off to start, you had some sort of business plan or model showing you that it would be better to be working? If you say, projected earnings of £10 per week, they would use this for 13 weeks and then ask for your actual earnings and use that for the next 13, Then at 26 weeks, ask for your 26 weeks earnings and use that for the next 26 by which time you will be at 12 months so can provide your annual accounts which they can use for the next year and so on.

3 - Have you claimed WTC/CTC?

4 - Uncashed cheques. You should contact the council to see what your likely entitlement will be. If you cash these cheques and they create an overpayment, you will be asked to repay.

xandos159

Thanks for the reply!

1, I did go in and tell them, and they gave me this change of circumstances form, and then in my confusion and business with work I didn't get any further than that.

2, When I signed off I didn't make a business plan, it seemed pretty clear cut which would be better off ( I made about £3.2k in the month). The trouble is I have no idea on the when/if the work will come. So, for example, if I had work constantly, I would be far above the threshold for benefits, but it's equally likely that I will be chasing clients for the next 3 months with no joy - how could this be portrayed adequately?

3, I haven't claimed WTC, what's CTC? Council tax something?


The overall situation is that I'm not in immediate financial difficulty, but if no new work comes for a while then I could be...