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Can someone advise me on being self-employed as a lone parent?

5 replies

Caligula · 04/05/2006 10:37

I currently work 2 days a week from home, and there's a possibility of doing a 3 day a week consultancy post for another organisation for about six months on a self-employed basis. It's not worth giving up my current 2 day job for a SE job which although it will pay me more than double my annual wage, will only last six months. It will also interfere of course, with my tax credits and so overall although I'll be slightly better off, the travel and childcare costs alone will offset most of the extra income - to say nothing of the extra stress and having to work full time plus travelling into London and only seeing the kids for a couple of hours a day. But the job is fantastic and it would look on my CV, so if I do get offered it I sort of think I'd have to take it.

The complication is, if it went on for longer than six months, the nightmare of doing full time with the commute looms large, and I'd rather give up my 2 day a week job. However, what would happen once my 3 day a week assignment came to an end? Would I be allowed to go back on IS while looking for a new job, or would they say "bog off, you're self-employed, you'll have to make the money you earned last for the next 3 years before you'd be entitled to claim"?

Does anyone know?

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zippitippitoes · 04/05/2006 10:48

the hitch I see in this is there are strict rules as to what is self employment when you actually only have one client...

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Bugsy2 · 04/05/2006 10:52

I think if it is a short-term fixed period contract Zippi, it is ok.
Don't know the answer about IS Caligula, but if it is a really good job that you'd like to do, I'd say go for it!

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Caligula · 04/05/2006 14:09

Bumping for anyone who might have done this or know someone who has

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Caligula · 04/05/2006 18:29

bumping again

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Caligula · 05/05/2006 14:03

Bumpety bump

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