Self-employment

If you are self-employed and need help to pay your rent and/or council tax, you can apply for housing benefit and a council tax reduction in the same way as if you were employed.

More information about housing benefit

More information about council tax reduction

Find out how to apply for housing benefit and a council tax reduction

How your income will be assessed

To assess your average weekly income after tax and national insurance we will consider -

• your business related income and expenses
• your savings
• your partner’s income
• income from any other source

Whether you are already receiving or are applying for housing benefit and/or a council tax reduction, for us to calculate your average weekly income, you will need to -

If you have been trading for 13 weeks or more

• complete a self-employed income and expenses form

• provide supporting information for a set period (we will advise you of the specific dates).  The supporting information you need to provide will depend on the type of self-employed business you have but could include day books, invoices and receipts for all business related income and expenses, certified accounts (if you have them) and pension contributions. Please make sure that any receipts or invoices you provide are grouped by expense type and placed in date order. If you would like us to contact you to discuss this, please complete the form below -

If you are starting a new business or have been trading for less than 13 weeks

• complete a self-employed projection of earnings form

Self-employed childminders

If you are a self-employed childminder you will not need to submit your business expenses with your housing and council tax benefit claim. When we calculate your entitlement to benefit, we will automatically disregard one third of your income amount to allow for payment of income tax, national insurance and half of any applicable pension payments..

More information about housing benefit

More information about council tax reduction

Find out how to apply for housing benefit and council tax reduction

Contact us

Freepost RSJC-KKBE-ABXZ
Hull City Council Revenues and Benefits Service
PO Box 15
Hull
HU1 2AB

Tel: 01482 300 303
Text phone: 01482 300 349
Email: benefitssr@hullcc.gov.uk