Self Employed and confused

[Bill-K]

Re: Self Employed and confused

Sorry - I crossed posts with Wales & Tuttsi. What Wales says about the business plan makes good sense to me - and I think they will probably go into this during the course in January. I went on a similar course when I started a mobile video library years ago, and it covered this.

[scooter lady]

Re: Self Employed and confused

Great calming advice BILL k, thank you. Im so glad I found this place.

[Bill-K]

Re: Self Employed and confused

I hope we've helped, SL. It can be scary when you're first starting, but the course will help put things into place for you, I'm sure. Try and print out some 'home-made' business cards and take them with you to the course - don't be embarrased because they are home-made, in fact you can even add some humour, because the others there are also starting up. "TEMPORARY BUSINESS CARD - Keep in contact, and let's swop the gold-edged ones sometime." Try and strike up a rapport with as many as you can, and you'll have the start of a little support network.

But - for now - we need to get the HB guys sorted. So - here's my suggestionette:
1. Consider yourself as self-employed - NOT unemployed;
2. You ARE trading - even if you are not yet generating revenue;
3. You ARE working as a self-employed person, and are NOT available for any other work;
4. You HAVE BEEN working as above for at least a month (as per Tuttsi's advice);
4. You contact HMRC (Income Tax) and register as such;
5. You contact NI and register as self-employed - and claim exemption from NI Contributions;
6. You contact the HB dept and tell them this. Be polite and non-confrontational. Supply evidence of intention and commitment, such as the course booking and raw goods receipts.
7. Check out the HB regulations online and see if you can back up the above plan !!!

Here are some links to get you started:

https://www.gov.uk/housing-benefit/overview

http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedire...LGSL=69&LGIL=0

http://www.letlink.co.uk/letting-fac...gulations.html

[ploddertom]

Re: Self Employed and confused

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/

[scooter lady]

Re: Self Employed and confused

I just thought I would let all know that having followed the advice on this thread I received my housing and council tax benefit award yesterday. Such a massive relief and weight off mymind. It just goes to show that benefit officials dont always know what they're talking about. My course went well too and I learned lots of useful stuff. Thanks again beagles, you're blimin fab! X

[TUTTSI]

Re: Self Employed and confused

You are very welcome Scooter lady and hope you will stick around to help others x

[Bill-K]

Re: Self Employed and confused

Well done and thanks for letting us know the outcome. I'm glad we helped.