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Francis_Rossi

Is there anyone here who works from home and earns their income online?

I'd like to know what the deal is regarding housing / council tax benefit.

I know you can claim it but I'd like to know exactly what you have to do, and how, and how often.

Thanks.

pmlindyloo

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

Is there anyone here who works from home and earns their income online?

I'd like to know what the deal is regarding housing / council tax benefit.

Thanks.

You can claim HB and CT support if you are self employed.

Like all means tested benefits the council will need to see proof of your earnings (usually the last tax year's accounts) and any other income/savings that you and any partner may have.

Francis_Rossi

I know I can claim it but I'd like to know precisely what I have to do and how often.

pmlindyloo

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

I know I can claim it but I'd like to know precisely what I have to do and how often.

Not sure what you are asking - sorry.

You apply for HB and Council Tax Support by going to your council and getting the forms.

Perhaps you could tell us exactly what you want to know?

marliepanda

I believe you will have to predict your income, and then keep it regularly up to date if it is variable.

Francis_Rossi

I guess the main thing I want to know is will I have to keep contacting them to keep them up to date with my income? It's kind of depressing to think that I'd have to do that. I'd like to think that I could live my life without having to constantly have the council on my mind. So what I really want to know is, is it a quick and easy procedure, or a pain in the !!!?

marliepanda

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

I guess the main thing I want to know is will I have to keep contacting them to keep them up to date with my income? It's kind of depressing to think that I'd have to do that. I'd like to think that I could live my life without having to constantly have the council on my mind. So what I really want to know is, is it a quick and easy procedure, or a pain in the !!!?

Do you want the money or not?

If yes, then you will have to contact the council.

If no, you can live your life without having the council constantly on your mind.

Usually when self employed your income is variable. If you have a set contract you are currently working on and can say I earn £x a month, every month, then no you won't. If your income is variable of course you have to keep updating them, the same as people whose hours vary have to keep supplying payslips in order for the benefits to be calculated.

Francis_Rossi

marliepanda wrote: »

Do you want the money or not?

If yes, then you will have to contact the council.

If no, you can live your life without having the council constantly on your mind.

Usually when self employed your income is variable. If you have a set contract you are currently working on and can say I earn £x a month, every month, then no you won't. If your income is variable of course you have to keep updating them, the same as people whose hours vary have to keep supplying payslips in order for the benefits to be calculated.

So if my income varies from week to week or month to month, I have to keep contacting them? What if I want to go on holiday? The whole point of making money is to enjoy life.

marliepanda

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

So if my income varies from week to week or month to month, I have to keep contacting them? What if I want to go on holiday? The whole point of making money is to enjoy life.

You don't have to claim Feel free to enjoy your life.

How on earth do you think they will decide what you are entitled to if you don't tell them how much money you earn?

Francis_Rossi

marliepanda wrote: »

You don't have to claim Feel free to enjoy your life.

How on earth do you think they will decide what you are entitled to if you don't tell them how much money you earn?

Ok so how often would I have to keep in contact with them? Every single week? Every single time my income increases or decreases by a penny? Should I cancel all engagements and camp outside the council offices just in case they want to summon me to their presence?

marliepanda

Francis_Rossi wrote: »

Ok so how often would I have to keep in contact with them? Every single week? Every single time my income increases or decreases by a penny? Should I cancel all engagements and camp outside the council offices just in case they want to summon me to their presence?

You're being extreme and ridiculous.

You probably could do it once a year, but then you could be faced with a large overpayment if you underestimated your income.

Base it on last tax year and you'll no doubt be fairly accurate, just be sensible, you get a tonne of work, report it, or you may end up being overpaid a tonne.