Self-employed claims
If you are self employed, you can claim housing benefit, council tax benefit or second adult rebate. We will require proof of your income.
How self employed income is assessed
When calculating your benefit entitlement we need to work out
your average weekly income from your business after deducting tax
and National Insurance contributions, and half of any private
pension contributions that you pay.
If you have been trading for over a year you must provide original profit and loss accounts – certified if possible, together with proof of your latest National Insurance and tax assessment.
Details of the additional information that you should provide can be found on the printable claim form.
If you have been trading for a short time and do not have a profit and loss account you will need to fill in a self-employed income and expenses form, which you can request by ticking the box on the claim form. You can also request a form by visiting our reception or contacting us.
Child minders
The income of self-employed child minders is assessed in a
specific way. Business expenses are not deducted.
Instead one third of the child minder’s income is disregarded as an
allowance in respect of income tax, national insurance and payments
into a private pension.
What if I’m already claiming housing and/or council tax
benefit and I become self-employed?
You will not need to complete a new application form, but you
will have to provide proof of your self-employed income as detailed
above.