Jobless and going nowhere

LegacyUser

Hello

I don't no where to start but I think it's best off starting at the beginning . . .

I started my own business just before the crash and of course my business hit the wall big time. I've been living on a shoe string ever since. I have no income at all and am living hand to mouth. I haven't applied for any social welfare assistance because I am afraid to close my business down due to owing the Revenue money. Also I have customers who have not paid me for work and I am afraid to un-register as being self employed because I won't be able to chase this money that is owed to me.

What is more, I have the Revenue reviewing me in January and it will look like I am running away from the debt I owe them if I close the business down.

I have thought about ending it all but I know I couldn't but my family through another death.

I would be grateful for any advise please.

SATSUMA

Why don't you try going to MABS and explore some practical assistance on how to manage the revenue. they might be able to help and it's free. Sometimes it's best to put a plan in place for the sake of your sanity. No money issue/job is worth your life.

Rubberchikken

Can you chase u these people/companies that owe you money?

I agree with above^^ speak to mabs. They may have some advice that could help.

You are right to not want to bring more pain to your family.

No job/business/money problems are more important than a person to their family.
Take care

Shrap

As of this year, I believe you can be self-employed AND get social welfare OP. I don't know if you'd fit the criteria, but apparently you have to be unemployed for 4 days out of 7 in order to get job seekers allowance, and I don't think your business has to be closed any more. There could be a way around your predicament.

Definitely go to MABS, or the social welfare to find out where you stand. Citizen's advice have this:

"Self-employed people can become unemployed if their business has to close down. It may also be the case, though you continue to be self-employed the amount of work you are getting has reduced so much that it no longer provides you with a sufficient income.

If you find yourself unemployed or you are getting less work than before you may qualify for a jobseeker's payment. You do not need to de-register as self-employed to get a payment. However you must meet the conditions that apply to jobseeker's payments.

If you do not qualify for a social welfare payment you may be eligible to pay voluntary contributions."

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/self_employed_and_unemployment.html

Hopefully there's something that you can qualify for OP, but you won't know till you get in touch with them. Face to face chats are best with both of those organisations I'd say.

Hang in there..


Edit: Found more -

To get Jobseeker’s Allowance you must be habitually resident and pass a means test. If you are self-employed, you may be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance depending on your earnings from your business. You do not need to close your business or stop working as self-employed for you to get Jobseeker’s Allowance. You will get Jobseeker’s Allowance if your income is below a certain level.

Go for it mate. Also, ask MABS how to go about hassling those f****rs who owe you money.

ABajaninCork

Perhaps you could go to a FLAC centre and ask for one of their solicitors to draft a snotogram to your tardy customers?