Freelance and JSA

m0rgana

(just posted this elsewhere as didn't know this board was here. Sorry).

So I am looking into options having been made redundant, and so far I have managed to arrange some freelance gigs. These will be regular and ongoing, but are not well-paid. I will not be able to 'make ends meet' unless I find at least two more clients by Christmas and cannot guarantee this will happen.

Can anyone help me out on what benefits I may be eligible for? I have a horrible feeling that because it's harder to 'prove' what you earn freelance, it is probably made very hard to claim anything. I know it's done on hours if you're on PAYE, but can I prove that I am only working a certain number of hours a week as a freelance? I expect the work to not take me more than a couple of days a week.

Not taking this freelance roles is not an option for me: it is the only way I have a hope of getting back into my industry and remaining visible to contacts. Also I would go mad without work.

Finally, is household income taken into account for JSA and similar benefits? We're in London so my partner's salary would probably be considered high, but neither of us feels it's right for him to completely support me.

thanks.

pmlindyloo

If you have paid NI contributions during the last two tax years then you would, in theory, be entitled to contribution based JSA. This is not means tested so your partner's income/savings are not taken into account.

However, you need to be Job Seeking and since you are unwilling to stop the freelance role then this you could not claim this.

Most other benefits are means tested and all household income is taken into account so any income/savings (including redundancy money)/capital of yours and your OH will be taken into account.

If your OH is on a good salary then it is unlikely that you would be entitled to any means tested benefits. (housing benefit, council tax support, tax credits)

However, since you are living in London housing benefit/council tax support might be a possibility. You can put your details into the benefit calculator on www.turn2us.org.uk to check.

Couples living together are expected to support each other financially at times like this as regards claiming benefits.

m0rgana

pmlindyloo wrote: »

If you have paid NI contributions during the last two tax years then you would, in theory, be entitled to contribution based JSA. This is not means tested so your partner's income/savings are not taken into account.

However, you need to be Job Seeking and since you are unwilling to stop the freelance role then this you could not claim this.

But I will be jobseeking. I'll only be working freelance about two days a week (I could fit in all the work to two days easily) so in theory that gives me the rest of week to seek permanent employment doesn't it?

If your OH is on a good salary then it is unlikely that you would be entitled to any means tested benefits. (housing benefit, council tax support, tax credits)

I can understand most of those, but aren't tax credits to do with personal income? At least that was what I thought.

Couples living together are expected to support each other financially at times like this as regards claiming benefits.

Sure, and we can do this - realistically I would feel bad claiming for housing benefit etc as I do see that as something we can pay for 'as a household' but it's not great for the old self-esteem, is it? (or relationships).

m0rgana

How about Self-employment credits? Looks like I should be eligible for those, and this could be helpful. But are they means tested on household income as well?

pmlindyloo

m0rgana wrote: »

But I will be jobseeking. I'll only be working freelance about two days a week (I could fit in all the work to two days easily) so in theory that gives me the rest of week to seek permanent employment doesn't it?



I can understand most of those, but aren't tax credits to do with personal income? At least that was what I thought.



Sure, and we can do this - realistically I would feel bad claiming for housing benefit etc as I do see that as something we can pay for 'as a household' but it's not great for the old self-esteem, is it? (or relationships).

Yes, you certainly can put in a claim for contribution based JSA. You would have to be working less than 16 hours a week and because of your income you may not actually get any money. however, you would have your NI contributions paid.

However, because you said that you would not be willing to give up your freelance work I thought this may not be appropriate.

As part of your Job Seekers agreement you would have to sign on and do everything they expected of you in your search for work. As far as I am aware this would include being available for full time work. (There are exceptions but from what you say you do not fit into these - for example, having care responsibilities)

See here:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_benefits_in_work_or_looking_for_work_ew/benefits_for_people_looking_for_work.htm

As regards working tax credits you would have to make a joint claim so your partner's income would be taken into account.

Have you tried the calculator?

m0rgana

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Yes, you certainly can put in a claim for contribution based JSA. You would have to be working less than 16 hours a week and because of your income you may not actually get any money. however, you would have your NI contributions paid.

But my 'income' may only be £500 a month! £750 at best. That surely isn't considered enough to live on!?

As part of your Job Seekers agreement you would have to sign on and do everything they expected of you in your search for work. As far as I am aware this would include being available for full time work. (There are exceptions but from what you say you do not fit into these - for example, having care responsibilities)

They just don't want people to claim, do they.

Have you tried the calculator?

Yes, and according to that one I would not be eligible for anything even if I say I am unemployed and not earning. I've tried it twice now so not sure what is up there!

pmlindyloo

m0rgana wrote: »

But my 'income' may only be £500 a month! £750 at best. That surely isn't considered enough to live on!?



They just don't want people to claim, do they.



Yes, and according to that one I would not be eligible for anything even if I say I am unemployed and not earning. I've tried it twice now so not sure what is up there!

Since JSA is £71 ish a week then your income makes you ineligible for any money.

If you were single then you could claim housing benefit and council tax support.

Many people who live with their partner and keep their finances separate find the benefit system frustrating.

In the 'old days' (golden oldie here ) most people didn't live together until they were married and then you signed up 'for better, for worse'!

The only way to look upon it is to imagine the scenario as if it were your partner who had lost his job and you still had yours. would you support him?

Claiming benefits isn't meant to be easy as it is the public purse that is being used.

Lots wrong with the system but at least you have a partner who is, hopefully, willing to support you during this 'blip' in your lives.

nannytone_2

why do you think it is more acceptable for strangers ( taxpayers) to suport you, rather than the person wh shares your bed?

StormyWeather_2

pmlindyloo wrote: »

However, because you said that you would not be willing to give up your freelance work I thought this may not be appropriate.

As part of your Job Seekers agreement you would have to sign on and do everything they expected of you in your search for work. As far as I am aware this would include being available for full time work. (There are exceptions but from what you say you do not fit into these - for example, having care responsibilities)

The OP is available for full time work. If she claims JSA and is eligible I think she would be expected to look for work to fill the other 3 days.

If I was in her position I would put in a claim and see what happens. If the expectations of the job centre aren't suitable then she can always cancel.

m0rgana

StormyWeather wrote: »

The OP is available for full time work. If she claims JSA and is eligible I think she would be expected to look for work to fill the other 3 days.

If I was in her position I would put in a claim and see what happens. If the expectations of the job centre aren't suitable then she can always cancel.

This is what I plan to do. The stuff about my partner above is irrelevant, I am eligible for contributions-based JSA regardless of his income.

StormyWeather_2

On your job seekers agreement you have to pick 3 types of work to look for. They'll give you a minimum number of actions or applications to do each week. Before your appointment, have a good think about what you could put for your 3 choices. Obviously 1 will the industry you already work in, but what else would you be prepared to do and apply for?

Although your partners salary is high, if you're in London your rent will probably be high too, so I'd also put in an application for housing benefit.