What is a Self-employed Income?
A person is self-employed if they own their own business and they only work for themselves. They do not receive a regular wage or salary from an employer and are not employed under a contract. A self-employed person could be a sole trader or in a partnership. This can include jobs like window cleaners, taxi drivers, painters and decorators, hairdressers, shared fisherman.
If you receive a wage from an employer and Income Tax or National Insurance payments are taken from your wages - you are not self-employed.
My business has been affected by coronavirus
Coronavirus (COVID-19) may have affected your business. You may then be eligible for help under the Self-employment Income Support scheme.
- For more help and support please go to Gov.uk
I am a director of a company
A Director of a Limited Company handles managing the day-to-day business activities and finances of the business. They may be entitled to receive a wage for this role. If you receive such an income, you are not treated as being self-employed.
You do not need to complete a Self-employed Income form. But, you must tell us that you are a Director and provide us with evidence of your income from these earnings. To do this you must provide:
- your last five weekly, three fortnightly or two monthly payslips; or
- a Certificate of Earnings signed by your employer
What information will I have to provide?
If you are self-employed you must complete a Self-employed Income form.
You can complete this online at:
You must complete the form to cover a full 12 month period.
If your business has traded for less than 12 months, you can include:
If your business has traded for more than 12 months, you must include:
The information in this section is for general advice only. Contact your local Housing Benefit office if you have any queries.