JSA and Self Employment

Nirnaeth

My Situation:

I have been self employed for about 1 year and recently have not been earning a sufficient enough income due to work being reduced. As a result, I have begun to look for additional work elsewhere.
I am aware that self employed people in my situation are not required to cease their business. I live with my parents and therefore will be means tested for Benefit and Privilege.

In relation to the means test for Jobseekers Allowance -
I'm wondering if the combined sum of my self employment income(very low) and Benefit and Privilege are likely to mean I won't receive a Jobseekers Payment if I apply.

Any advice welcome,
Nir

mp22

The best thing to do is apply and let the dept decide.

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

Nirnaeth

Thanks for your response. Does anybody know if there is any special documentation I will need when applying?

mp22

When you apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance
Usually, you will be asked for your receipts and payments or audited accounts for the current and previous year. For example, if you apply for Jobseeker's Allowance in April 2014 you will be asked for your receipts and payments from January to April 2014 and for 2013. However, in certain cases you may be required to show audited accounts for the last two or more years. Find out more about signing on for a jobseeker’s payment.

From the link above

Nirnaeth

Don't have any receipts because I have no business expenses. I work from home with my laptop only.

mp22

Nirnaeth wrote: »

Don't have any receipts because I have no business expenses. I work from home with my laptop only.

The dept will be more interested in your income.

Nirnaeth

I've just been thinking, my sister works full time and lives with us. Will her income as well as my parents income be included in the means test? Surely if this is the case, I'm not likely to receive much.

somefeen

Depends how old you are, after a certain age living with your parents is not considered as means.
I think it was 25?

Nirnaeth

I'm 23. I expect my parents income to be included, but can anyone confirm if the full time wage my sister gets will affect my claim?

eastbono

Your sisters earning have no bearing on your claim.

Nirnaeth

Ok, my interview is set up for next week. I originally intended to make a claim for JSA while retaining the low income I receive from self employment. Since then, I have not earned anything for the last 3 weeks and am now contemplating ending my self employment when I do make my claim.
Any of you kind people have any advice? Will they expect me to close down my business because I have not earned anything for the last 3 weeks? I would prefer to leave my business open in case of any future opportunities. Back in January I had 4 weeks where I earned almost nothing, I was living off my savings before work picked up again in Feb.

Kind Regards,
Nir

Musicman2000

Nirnaeth wrote: »

Ok, my interview is set up for next week. I originally intended to make a claim for JSA while retaining the low income I receive from self employment. Since then, I have not earned anything for the last 3 weeks and am now contemplating ending my self employment when I do make my claim.
Any of you kind people have any advice? Will they expect me to close down my business because I have not earned anything for the last 3 weeks? I would prefer to leave my business open in case of any future opportunities. Back in January I had 4 weeks where I earned almost nothing, I was living off my savings before work picked up again in Feb.

Kind Regards,
Nir

You don't need to close down your business . When you meet with a social welfare inspector they will ask you for proof of earnings and bank statements for the last 6 months . Then your claim will be processed .

Nirnaeth

So, being self employed my income and work pattern have always been quite irregular. On the JSA form it requires you to state your income and work pattern. I expect I will have this sorted when I attend my interview but does anyone have any idea how one should go about answering this question on the form?
The last payment I received was for €120. Should I just write in my average weekly income?

Also, I have stated on the form that I am still working because I don't want to de-register my business. But I have no income for the last 3 weeks. Very confused about what to do.

Kind Regards,
Nir

Musicman2000

Hold onto any proof of income you have from self employment and even better if you have anything from the revenue to prove your earnings .
Then bank statements for the last 6 months. Thats it really they will means test you then . Explain to them you can't depend on the income and that it is varied .

Also you need to proof you are still looking for full time work as you are on JSA. Its a disaster of a system and really needs to be looked at for those people that are self employed part time .

Nirnaeth

I am going to have to go to my appointment with a few parts of the forms about income incomplete and complete them there (I of course have all my payments with me).
For example Dates of employment // to // have to leave the "to" blank because i'm still self employed.

It states on the form you must have all forms fully completed before attending your appointment. Will they be cool clarifying some of my questions about the parts I can't complete?

Nirnaeth

What do you write for "days worked a week" and "hours worked per day" when your work pattern is sporadic, irregular?

eastbono

If you are self employed you dont fill that out.