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Help with Housing Benefit for Self Employed Earners

This page is designed to give additional information on how self employed earners claims for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit/Second Adult Rebate are assessed.

Who can claim?

All self employed earners can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit/Second Adult Rebate.

How is Self Employed income assessed?

When calculating what income should be used, we have to determine the net profit from the proof provided.

The Net Profit is calculated as follows:-

Gross Income less any allowable business expenses = GROSS PROFIT.

Gross Profit less any notional tax, national insurance and half pension contributions = NET PROFIT.

What are Allowable Business Expenses?

Only the expenses, which the local authority consider to be reasonable, and are totally for the running of the business be deducted from the gross income figure.

Business Partnerships

If the claimant is self employed in a partnership. The gross profit has to be split between the business partners. To confirm how the business is divided, the Deed of Partnership should be provided.

Couples who are Business Partners

The above guidelines will also be taken into account even if the business partners are a couple, because by doing so it ensures that the deductions for notional tax and national insurance are correctly calculated.

Child Minders

When calculating what income should be used for self employed child minders, we do not deduct any business expenses.

The net profit is obtained by deducting tax, national insurance contributions and half of any pension contributions from one third of their gross profit.

What information will I have to provide?

Please complete the self employed self assessment income sheet and return it with your completed application form. We may ask to see evidence of the self assessment. This evidence would be proof of your previous 12 month's trading, profit and loss account(s). This should be available from your accountant. Day books or receipts are accepted when the business is new.

How to claim

If you think you may be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit/Second Adult Rebate you must complete a Welfare Benefit application form in the related links section.

How do I claim?

Application forms are available at any of the One Stop Shops, Local Housing Offices, Libraries and the Finance Department.

Send completed forms to:-

Director of Finance
P.O. Box 2
Cleveland Street
Birkenhead
Wirral
Merseyside
CH41 6BU

You can also try our on line Web Benefits Calculator (in the related links section) to see if you can get any help.

ALL INFORMATION IS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

What if I have a query?

You can telephone 0151 606 2002 or you can call in person at any of the One Stop Shops. For opening hours see Council Offices in the related links section.

See Also