Claiming Benefits while Working for Yourself

Running your own business or being self-employed doesn’t always mean you make lots of money: many self-employed people may not earn minimum wage, and even when earnings are sometimes good, there may be very hard times in between when it’s not possible to draw a wage. For start-ups, it’s very reasonable that all income is ploughed back to grow the business, leaving nothing for the owner to live on. And even the best mature businesses can go awry, as coronavirus has shown: many business owners will be looking how to support themselves while they get their business back on its feet.

If you are a sole trader, or the director of a small business, you are entitled to claim benefits just like anyone else. The process may be a little different, but your entitlement to benefits is just the same.

If you are thinking about closing your business...

Many business owners will be thinking about closing their business, a move that may see themselves and employees without any work and with an uncertain future. Please talk to us before you do.

Our welfare benefits advisers can talk through what might be possible. Our debt advisers can look at how to manage personal loans taken out to service the business. Our Employment Law specialist can advise on any redundancy or employment issues. There is no cost to any services we provide.

Completing the Forms

You can be sure that everything discussed is confidential. Forms can be complex and unclear, and it can be easy to misinterpret a question. Our four benefits advisers have over 30 years’ experience, and provide information, advice and support, free of charge. Our advisers will either provide advice and guidance or complete your forms with you. All the advisers will need, is for you to bring the information they have requested so that they can provide you with accurate and correct advice.