Self employed - No Support

Scwgrahame

Hi, 
Looking to see if anyone has any advise on my families monetary situation during Covid. My wife is self employed however we are lucky that I still have a job. Now I know we are not in a bad situation compared to many but it looks like my wife is going to get no support as her profit is tiny as it all goes on paying her bills (car, etc) and universal-credit say they won't give her anything.
So for me she is slipping through the net. In the household she pays for food and all her own bills and now that sits with the one wage earner (me) which obviously I can't sustain without stopping mortgage at least. Plus there is the mental side with her having no money which I don't doubt is tough. 
Does anyone know if there are any other avenues to look down after universal credit etc. 
Thanks

Jeremy535897

If you still have your job, and your wife was receiving a negligible amount from her business, and you earn too much or have too many savings to qualify for UC, I guess it's not really surprising there's nothing available to help you except a mortgage and other finance break.

poppy12345

There's nothing she can claim because New style JSA can't be claimed by those that are self employed.

calcotti

Scwgrahame said:

--- universal-credit say they won't give her anything.

Universal Credit, like all means tested benefits, is based on your joint circumstances. There is an expectation that couple support each other.

Fire_Fox

Where a couple are married, or living together as married, they are expected to support one another in times of need. So the joint/ family/ household financial position (income, savings, etc.) is looked at. You are one another's safety net.

Similarly homeowners have long been expected to have 'rainy day savings', although during this pandemic there are mortgage holidays available. Do apply to your lender: breathe, then brainstorm a better way forwards. 

Given that your wife's business only makes a tiny profit, presumably your household budget is not too far off balancing? MSE is absolutely amazing for fixing that so please read around. The starting point is the Statement of Affairs (SoA, detailed budget planner) which can be found via the stickies of the Mortgage-free Wannabe board, Debt-free Wannabe board and others.

Sorry not what you are hoping for, but good luck anyway.

47Revisited

Scwgrahame said:

Plus there is the mental side with her having no money which I don't doubt is tough. 

I think there are many people in this situation and some worse off at the moment. Some people are permanently in this position, even more so now.