Moving post for Button

pmlindyloo

No clue whether I'm posting in the right place or if anyone can help?

Anyways, I am SO stressed out - not sure what to do! I am self employed, have been for years. Been paying my national insurance. I'm having an operation next month where I may be told not to work for up to 12 months so I've tried to find out if I can get some kind of help. Well - after two weeks of various phone calls and two visits - CAB and then the Job Centre today, I STILL have no clue if I'll receive any help? I am majorly panicking here. I am a single Mum and in receipt of working tax credits, child tax credits and a housing benefit top up. I've been told by tax credits people that if I'm not awarded with ESA whilst off sick, then I won't get any tax credits either??
CAB told me last week that they "think" I need to apply for Universal Credit. So I went home and spent 2 hours doing this, even though I wasn't sure if I was supposed to. I then had to make an appointment with Job Centre which I had today. I thought I'd be told today if I'd get help but - no!!!! At the start I said I wasn't even sure if I should be applying for Universal credit and whether it should be ESA and he said they didn't do ESA any more....but I've just been on line and it says self employed people should apply for ESA if off sick?? Person I saw just put more of my details on system and that was it. I asked if I'd receive any help "of course you will, yes.....oh no wait - you're self employed so I'm not sure as it's different" So how do I find out so I can stop panicking?

So - I have now come home and still have no clue. I am super stressed about it all. Job centre booked me in for another appointment next week and i've looked on my journal on the UC website and it says the appointment is a "commitments" one where I tell the lady what sort of jobs I'm looking for!?? I'm not looking for a job, I have a self employed one but I'm not able to work in about 3 weeks time! arghhh

I am in tears as so stressed about it all. I don't get why no one can tell me what's going on?? I'm stressed enough about having a major op, let along finances for my child and me :'(

Please, can anyone help or has been in a similar situation to me??

Original post

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5897010/self-employed-op-next-month-help

Apologies, it's Buttoon.

calcotti

Making a claim for UC will have ended your Tax Credits and your Housing Benefit awards (the housing benefit will have a run on of 2 weeks from the date UC claim starts. Your UC award will include a basic amount to live on, additional help because you are a parent and help with your rent. However if you are self employed you are going to have to provide information about your earnings and business expenses and will have to do this on a monthly basis unless DWP are satisfied that you are currently not working. You will need a Fit Note from your GP confirming you are too ill to work and should then have a Work Capability Assessment. If you are found to have Limited capability for Work and Work Related Activity you will get extra money in your UC. With a Fit Note the work coach should reduce your work search requirements. https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit


If you paid class 1 or class 2 NI contributions between April 2105 and March 2017 you can apply for new style ESA. Although any ESA will be deducted from your UC so you will not get more money by claiming ESA I recommend that you do apply (if you meet the NI contributions). ESA is paid fortnightly and will be paid regardless of your other income (if any) whereas UC will be paid monthly and may vary. You are also likely to get your first payment faster under ESA. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance


If you are not getting it already you can also apply to your local authority for Council Tax Reduction - given that you get Housing Benefit you may well be getting it already.


Finally if your health condition affects your ability to look after yourself you may qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This is completely separate from ESA and UC. https://www.gov.uk/pip


You can use a benefits calculator to check your entitlement https://www.entitledto.co.uk/