Claiming Unemployment Benefit After Self-Employment

Ryse

I understand that if I become voluntarily unemployed from a regular full time job and claim unemployment benefit I will face sanctions. What if I have been self-employed and decide to stop this and claim benefits? Will I still be subject to sanctions?

poppy12345

Ryse wrote: »

I understand that if I become voluntarily unemployed from a regular full time job and claim unemployment benefit I will face sanctions. What if I have been self-employed and decide to stop this and claim benefits? Will I still be subject to sanctions?

Same rules apply for self employed, there's a 26 week sanction unless you can prove and show good reason for quiting paid work.

Ryse

poppy12345 wrote: »

Same rules apply for self employed, there's a 26 week sanction unless you can prove and show good reason for quiting paid work.

Thank you for your answer. That's really awful.
Do you know what happens if you are self-employed part-time (<16 hours) and receiving benefits but then quit? I know whatever earnings you make whilst working is deducted, so would the benefit return to its normal rate if you quit or would you lose it altogether?

BorisThomson

You can still be subject to sanctions if you deprive yourself of income, be that part time or otherwise. If you go from declaring an income to nothing, you'll need to explain why and a decision maker will then assess your case.

No sanction will be applied if you have good reason for ending your self employment.