I am living alone, no dependents (apart from dog) in two bed house, renting privately. My rent is £395 per month. I receive £320 HB and then there's the poll tax element to pay too. Also on JSA which after water rates automatically going out is £60 per week. ANyway, it is a nightmare trying to get the rent together every month and this month was the worst. I have ended up being 5 days late with it and am terrified of getting kicked out. I feel a bit between a rock and a hard place. I have been selling all my stuff off at car boots over last couple of months eg records, clothes, cds, furniture, knick knacks, table lights etc and at a flea market once a week (although both are hopeless if it's raining). Of course, there are costs involved in those too and this isn't a wealthy area but luckily always managed to cover stall cost and get between £10-30 and once managed £50 at flea. I also go to a job club twice a week and hope to pick up some work eventually with agencies but need to pay for and wait for the security processes to go through so probably won't get going til end sept. Anyway, I was wondering about two things really. A) if i am getting money from flea market/car boot does that count as working/income and therefore should i be telling benefit office/housing and would they then take that off me, in which case still got problem with rent? B) should I officially go self employed? Obviously there is very little income right now but with the aim of building work up and buying to sell too not just selling my stuff - as as i said, things are running out. Because it's car boots it's pretty much a summer thing so not sure what would happen in the winter, but thinking positively, some temp work should emerge later. So income would start really small obviously eg
max of JSA equiv. Would I still be able to get housing support and do they work it out the same. Is any other initial support for going self employed available? I don't want to be worse off but also dont' want to be perceived as doing anything fraudulent but also want to be able to pay my rent. ANyway, sorry long background. Anyone got any experience/ideas/tips? (I have asked JC re self employment and they said they would arrange a meeting with someone - that was few weeks ago but nothing yet sorted).
Obviously the other option is to move to one bedroom place/something with cheaper rent and have been looking in the area but lots say no dss/no animals or rent same or more.
max of JSA equiv. Would I still be able to get housing support and do they work it out the same. Is any other initial support for going self employed available? I don't want to be worse off but also dont' want to be perceived as doing anything fraudulent but also want to be able to pay my rent. ANyway, sorry long background. Anyone got any experience/ideas/tips? (I have asked JC re self employment and they said they would arrange a meeting with someone - that was few weeks ago but nothing yet sorted).
Obviously the other option is to move to one bedroom place/something with cheaper rent and have been looking in the area but lots say no dss/no animals or rent same or more.
