Self-employed EEA lone parent - help?

striving4better

Hi

Well, the issue is as follows - I am a newcomer EEA national (came to the UK in May this year), single mom of two, youngest is 18 months. I am a registered self-employed. Have also been employed in the UK in 2010 for 3 months.

I don't have connections or even friends where I live, but thankfully I am staying with my parents. I have separated from my husband and all I could win in the long battle is 300EUR/month from him.

Although I had my business (personal services) for a few years, with relocation I have lost a significant amount of clients. At the moment I have spent all the money I've been saving, the business in the UK is still in the start-up phase and picking up extremely slowly, mostly because people are not in a hurry...

I have talked to Citizen Advice, but they kind of don't really know anything. No offence, but I had to point out certain things to the adviser myself. I have been refused benefits on the basis that my business is not allowing me to become self-sufficient by not generating enough income. Quite obviously!

Basically, I am not eligible for any kind of help - benefits, grants (since I don't employ people and don't strive to earn millions), any funding. My parents are not happy with me staying for such a long time and don't support what I do. It's impossible to explain that business takes time to develop, especially in the UK, where people have to trust you first.

What are my options?

PS I work with business support/mentors and do everything to establish myself, but it just doesn't happen overnight.

PPS I can't apply for a job, because my mother refuses to babysit for the first month or so, when I get my first payment to hire a childminder. And she won't babysit, if I find a job with the salary less than 25000/year... It's impossible to explain that you really have to work hard to get a job like that. Don't ask, it's just an extremely difficult relationship, always been.

CKhalvashi

Mom is dreaming, methinks.

I don't know the ins/outs of the benefit law for this, however I believe that you could claim Working Tax Credit, on the basis that you are self-employed, but only if the business in itself is seen to be viable for long-term.

What are you trying to start up in? It may be worth posting on the small business board, as whilst none of us are experts in every subject, most people on the SB part of the forum have some form of business expertise, and can help you to target the right areas, separately from your benefit claim.

striving4better

I have been refused tax credits, since I didn't pay enough NI contributions and my business is not generating enough income to do so (currently it's 153 per week for EU nationals).

I am a personal shopper with formal British education and solid background. Currently I survive on old clients, child money from my ex and my parents providing me a roof. I can't say I'm really struggling, but by this time there is too much pressure put on me instead of support.

From the day I came I've tried to negotiate the babysitting with mom, but all I could get is 6 hours/week (3+3 hours, non-consecutive days). I've also tried my best to explain that even if I am to get benefits, I should find some work in order to pay NI. Well, she never worked a day in her life and, let's put it nicely, lives in her own world of TV shows, where people just get millions for nothing and the UK is paying anyone thousands just for being here.

I will try the SB part, though, thanks! Never hurts to hear other opinions and ideas.

CKhalvashi

It's posibly worth trying to find extra money on sites like PPH and eLance, too, if this would fit in one of the areas you have experience.

Do you have savings to rely on? What exactly are you living on now? I understand that there will be difficult few months ahead, but if you're proactively chasing clients (possibly using companies like Experian for lead generation) then there should be some way to gain clients faster.

striving4better

All saving I had (not much, but good for almost 5 months), I've already spent on living and business. Currently I live with my parents, they provide food and pay the bills, I have 300EUR/month child money + 100-250 pounds a month from my past clients (although, not every month now). It's tough, but not a total disaster.

I've tried PPH and elance, but personal shopping doesn't get much business from there and with an 18 month toddler I can't do VA or other type of admin/secretarial job from home. There is no quiet place to speak on the phone.

I go to networking events, collaborate with businesses, build relationships, actively use social media including targeted paid advertising, do charity events in exchange for promotion, write thousands of emails and make hundreds of cold calls... sicnce May I've managed to get quite a few good contacts and even a few clients. I fully realise it just takes time and effort. But I also understand my parents, who have to take care of their grown up daugher and grandchildren.

CKhalvashi

Have you thought about mystery shopping, too? I've never done it, but there is extra money there. Be prepared to wait a little for the money to come through, though.

Other than that, I personally can't help, but someone may be able to.

Icequeen99

blondebubbles wrote: »

Tax credits has nothing to do with NI contributions so that cannot be the reason for those being rejected.

I suspect it is to do with the link for right to reside test to the NI primary earnings threshold.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/288788/Met_guidance_for_gds.pdf

IQ

TELLIT01

My suspicion also is the the difficulties in obtaining any form of support is the short time you have been resident in the UK. Conditions have been tightened in the past few months and, as you don't have any entitlement on the basis of NI contributions, you probably don't qualify for Income Related benefit.

tomtontom

Icequeen99 wrote: »

I suspect it is to do with the link for right to reside test to the NI primary earnings threshold.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/288788/Met_guidance_for_gds.pdf

IQ

And a question as to whether personal shopping is a viable long term business.

OP is it not possible to get paid employment? Most retailers are recruiting for Xmas staff at the moment.