Self Employed and Universal Credit

Buzyizzy

I have been working as a self employed carer for two months and I'm not earning an awful lot. I'm spending a lot on fuel too.
Last week I was paid £150. The main reason I decided to go s/e was that my health is such that I cannot do the long days that care agencies want any more. I'm wondering if I can claim any JSA or any benefits such as council tax, just to ease my way.
I'm still advertising and chasing any ads for work, as I'd like to be bringing in £100 more. At the moment I'm having to be subsidised by my children, which is far from ideal.

sangie595

Buzyizzy wrote: »

I have been working as a self employed carer for two months and I'm not earning an awful lot. I'm spending a lot on fuel too.
Last week I was paid £150. The main reason I decided to go s/e was that my health is such that I cannot do the long days that care agencies want any more. I'm wondering if I can claim any JSA or any benefits such as council tax, just to ease my way.
I'm still advertising and chasing any ads for work, as I'd like to be bringing in £100 more. At the moment I'm having to be subsidised by my children, which is far from ideal.

I can't help much on benefits - you'd be better on the benefits board. But what I do know is that many benefits, if not now, soon, will calculate your self employed income as full time at minimum wage, whether that is what you earn or not. And, to be honest, you can't possibly undercut the agencies and survive- since you've had experienced of them, I'm sure you already know that they pay a pittance and get away with whatever they can. Working fewer hours, and with expenses to pay before you even have an income - this isn't likely to work out well for you.

Can you explain more about the issues you face - there may be other and better options that people here can think of. You'd be surprised but people will be more than happy to help you think through the options. Having health problems doesn't mean you can't work - and you obviously know that and are committed to working. I'm lucky - I had a job, but have serious health issues and my employer won't let me go. It's lovely to be valued. Let us see if we can give you some advice that might help you get into a similar situation. You have nothing to lose. Worst case is we can't help. So you are still where you are right now. Maybe we can help it get better?

TBagpuss

Have you looked at https://www.entitledto.co.uk/? It lets you put in your details and see what (if aanything) you may be eligible to claim.

I agree with Sangie that becoming self employed is likely to give you the worst of both worlds, as you won't be able to undercut agencies but will also lose any rights you had to things such as paid holidays, sick pay, pension contributions etc.

Given that you mention a lot of driving I assume that you are doing home care work - have you considered working in a care home or similar? The actual hours may not be shorter but you'd have less driving and probably a better chance of being able to take your breaks.