Part Time, Self Employment & WTC

Jim_J

I just had a conversation with the WTC helpline... They confirmed I can top up my income by registering as self employed, and re-starting my business.

I work 8 hours in an office, due to disability. I cannot get more hours at work, and my Sick Certificate stops in April so will have to stop claiming ESA.

I used to run a semi-successful web design firm. Five years have passed since I closed that business, due to ill health; which caused my disability.

If I continue working eight hours, register as self employed and only work an AVERAGE of eight hours a week I can claim WTC with the disability element.

I checked and double checked that this is OK; it seems a bit too good to be true? He even said I don't have to make a profit from the business at first, as HMRC realise Business Start Ups lose money in the first couple of years. I just have to keep records of worked hours and expenditures and profits.

He even gave me advice of how to use Excel to achieve this (I know because I done it before but hey ho)!!

Is this right?? It just seems too good to be true.

I do get DLA and do conform to the disabled element rules too.

:eek:

Jim_J

Sorry this should have been in the benefits and tax credit forum, can a moderator move it please?

ukclare

Just a quick note before this is moved. I believe what you say is correct but perhaps you should look at the changes coming in with universal credit as this will change the situation - and not for the better for self employed!

Good luck to you!

Jim_J

I have been reading up on that. The hours you work need to be minimum wage; but only working 8 hours a week only means I need to average 60 a week (at the current level on minimum wage) I can achieve that easily; or at least I could when I run the business before. I made it clear to the gent from HMRC I only want to work 16 hours including 8 hours that I'm employed. No more because I simply can't.

Many hospital visits; physio etc.