If you are self-employed and you cannot work due to illness

If you are self-employed you are entitled to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) as long as you have paid the correct level of National Insurance contributions. People who have not paid the relevant contributions may qualify for ESA under the means tested route.

There are specific rules for calculating the income of selfemployed people, and entitlement to certain benefits differs from that of an employee, especially in the case of Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support.

Depending on your particular circumstances, the benefits you may be eligible to claim include Housing/Council Tax Benefit, Working/Child Tax Credits, NHS Benefits, ESA, Disability Living Allowance, and Attendance Allowance.

The Department for Work and Pensions can give you information about benefits you may be entitled to claim. You can also contact our Benefits Helpline| on 0808 808 00 00.

You can discuss your situation with a benefits adviser at a Citizens Advice Bureau| or Law Centre| to find out about your entitlements. If you have a dispute over a benefit claim a specialist welfare rights solicitor can advise you. The Legal Services Commission| can give you details of specialist solicitors.

Remember that a change in your circumstances (for example, a reduction or increase in your income/ number of hours you work) can change your entitlement to benefit. You need to find out the regulations and conditions that apply to your benefits.