Help Needed - Employment & Support Allowance & Self Employment B16

darren72

My father has recently been in hospital following a fall, and is unable to work at the moment.

He has a part time job (5 hours per week) as well as being self employed. His part time job doesn't pay NI or tax, but the tax is paid on his self assessment form. He pays NI for his self employment also. - I was under the impression that as he is unable to work, he should be able to claim Employment & Support Allowance.

He does NOT want to claim Income Support, as he has money in the bank, so just wants to claim what he believes he is entitled to. - Is this possible ?? - I'm assuming his NI payments over the years should cover him for some payment whilst he cannot work ??

I've helped him complete the "Employment and Support Allowance" form, and he isn't claiming for the income based part of it. On the form it says as he is also self employed he needs to complete the B16 form. The B16 form seems to be mainly income based and therefore quite irelevant.

Are we missing something, and does anyone know if..

1) He should be able to obtain some type of payment for being unable to work.

2) Whether these are the correct forms that need to be completed.

Thanks in advance for any help.

pmlindyloo

As far as I am aware if he has been paying class 2 NI contriutions as self employed then he can apply for ESA.

Contribution based ESA is not means tested therefore his savings will not be taken into account.

As far as the B16 form is concerned then yes, I believe that you do have to fill this in as he is self employed.

Complete it as best you can filling in the parts that apply to your dad.

If you want to you could enclose a separate letter explaining anything that you think is relevant.

Often forms contain details that are not relevant to everybody (to cover all) so just do your best.

If you are completely stuck you could get some help from CAB or telephone the relevant department.

von

As the previous poster has said he needs to complete the B16 as best he can and to avoid further questions include a separate letter stating that whilst he is normally self employed and has a part time job for 5 hours per week whilst he is sick he is not working in either jobs and is not receiving an income from either jobs (I am assuming that is the case).
If you don't complete the B16 it will only hold up his claim.

Providing he has fully paid Class 2 contributions for the 2009/10 and 20010/11 tax years then he should be entitled to Cont-based ESA at £71.00 per week.