Advice Appreciated

shenk1

Having been Self-Employed as cleaners for the past 21 years my partner is now not fit/well enough to work.
She has had back problems for a year or two and has developed General Anxiety Disorder. To add to her problems she also finds it very difficult to balance when walking which, when added to the other problems, means she can't walk without the aid of someone and even then it's only short distances.

We are trying to get help from the doctors but it's a long,slow process. She has been sent for counseling and has only had one session so far.

Apart from that it's been "keep working,it's good for your back". No doctor has specified what's wrong.

The work we've been doing is cleaning houses on building sites. It has been mentioned to the firm we sub-contract to that due to her lack of mobility it is leading to health and safety concerns and she can no longer work on site.

I am carrying on doing the job. IF she gets herself well enough in the future she may want to resume the job too.

What I'd like to know is what (if any) benefits she may be entitled to.

As you can imagine money is not great but ok. Hours are very variable but probably 20 - 25 a week on average (might get/have to work some more now I'm doing it alone).

We have no kids. Some savings but not much. House is paid for (took care of most of our savings when paying it off last year).

As it is at the minute no claim has been made and no P45 has been issued (do you get one when self-employed???).



ANY help would be much appreciated as to what we should do or say to at least get some help.



Cheers !

Troutwrestler

PIP if she has mobility and care needs

shenk1

Cheers for your reply


Should she pack in work officially to get this?

Who should she go to first....Doctor or Benefits Agency?


Sorry for sounding stupid but we really do have no idea how to approach this:o



EDIT: She has definite mobility needs but can care for herself around the house.

pmlindyloo

shenk1 wrote: »

Cheers for your reply


Should she pack in work officially to get this?

Who should she go to first....Doctor or Benefits Agency?


Sorry for sounding stupid but we really do have no idea how to approach this:o



EDIT: She has definite mobility needs but can care for herself around the house.

You can claim PIP if you are working but obviously the fact that she manages to work may be an indicator that she wouldn't meet the descriptors. Google Personal Independence Payment for more information. It is not means tested so any income/savings is not taken into account.

The other benefit that she may be entitled to is contribution based Employment Support Allowance.

See here:

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview

Contribution based ESA is not means tested. To be eligible she will need to have paid Class 2 national insurance contributions whilst she was working. She will also need to stop work and get a fit note from the doctor.

Are you claiming working Tax Credits? If your OH stops work and you work 30 hours each week you may be eligible if you are on a low income.

shenk1

Cheers:D

She's only managed to work because I've been there to help her. Due to the nerve problems she can't / won't drive at the minute. She constantly needs something to balance against while walking (touching a wall, linking arms.....tried a walking stick but the nerves mean it shakes too much to be of much help....one to natter the doctor I think).

We're not claiming any benefits (and haven't done for years) but we do pay Self Employed class 2 NI contributions and Class 4.

The hours worked depend on the work available ( also I don't include travelling or time doing paperwork in the time worked).

pmlindyloo

shenk1 wrote: »

Cheers:D

She's only managed to work because I've been there to help her. Due to the nerve problems she can't / won't drive at the minute. She constantly needs something to balance against while walking (touching a wall, linking arms.....tried a walking stick but the nerves mean it shakes too much to be of much help....one to natter the doctor I think).

We're not claiming any benefits (and haven't done for years) but we do pay Self Employed class 2 NI contributions and Class 4.

The hours worked depend on the work available ( also I don't include travelling or time doing paperwork in the time worked).

So if you have paid Class 2 NI contributions then she can stop work, get a fit note and claim contribution based ESA.

Also do some research on PIP and see if she is eligible.

Useful guide here about self employment and working tax credits:

http://www.revenuebenefits.org.uk/tax-credits/guidance/how-do-tax-credits-work/self-employed/