[Martin-Swinscoe]

Due to the extreme weather now and what looks like extreme weather for the next few weeks.
Can us window cleaners go and sign on
afterall we all pay our taxes and national insurance so surely we should be entitled to a bit of what we've paid in all these years??

Can anyone tell me what we are entitled too.
I know we should've put a slush fund together for these bad weather days but if you don't earn it how can you save it?

[Sunshine/Cleaning]

You can if you close your books, but I would say you could earn at least the dole in a day a week so I would say it's not worth it.

[chopsie]

I believe this was covered last winter if u do a search. I do not see why u cannot sign on.

[ronaldo]

When we had the last lot of bad weather one of the lads that works for me signed on and got his rent paid on his flat a a bit of benefit, and yes your entitled but they will ask to see your accounts when you make the claim.

[Paul Coleman]

Due to the extreme weather now and what looks like extreme weather for the next few weeks.
Can us window cleaners go and sign on
afterall we all pay our taxes and national insurance so surely we should be entitled to a bit of what we've paid in all these years??

Can anyone tell me what we are entitled too.
I know we should've put a slush fund together for these bad weather days but if you don't earn it how can you save it?

I think things tightened up over the years some years ago but it used to be easier to be "sick" if you were self employed.  You could sign yourself off for the first week (of which the first three working days were unpaid), and needed a doctor to sign you off for longer to extend the claim.  I know the system has changed a lot since I last claimed sickness benefit while self-employed.
Without being sick, I think the only route to benefits is the means tested one.  I think they take your annual income from the previous year.  This is made extremely difficult on purpose.  One way to skirt around some of these issues is to be an employee of your own company (ltd.?) so that you are effectively on the PAYE system.  This is probably too much hassle for what you would get out of it.
If things are desperate, you may qualify for a crisis loan but don't hold your breath.

[Ian Rochester]

I don't think you can if you're self employed, however if you have any staff they can

[barry mallett]

i think most trad guys sign on all year round maybe they could help

[darren clarke]

go on sick,  it is easier and u will get sick pay, u might not get dole as u r making ur self unemployed

[luther1]

i think most trad guys sign on all year round maybe they could help

 

[richywilts]

i think most trad guys sign on all year round maybe they could help

hahahahahahha funny

[john the cleaner]

reply to barry mallet i  work trad and have never signed on i think u should be carefull wot u say mate no call for it u should think before u open your big mouth

[julius ilori]

reply to barry mallet ....hope u r joking .....am trad and have NEVER signed on.....maybe you know more than you let on eh!eh!matey.........NOT FUNNY!!!!!

[barry mallett]

if your not signing on are you on sickness benefits or disability

[elite mike]

reply to barry mallet ....hope u r joking .....am trad and have NEVER signed on.....maybe you know more than you let on eh!eh!matey.........NOT FUNNY!!!!!

reply to barry mallet i  work trad and have never signed on i think u should be carefull wot u say mate no call for it u should think before u open your big mouth

you will get to know barry s  posts, and realise you have over reacted

nice one barry top form

[darren clarke]

come on barry  gives us some top tips for working in the snow?

[David OCuilleain]

I think you can work up to 16 hours a week and earn £20 before it afects benifits but they make you apply for other jobs and you have to be available to take work.

[darren clarke]

u can 15 hours,  earn up to 102, or 65 if single,  you have to look for jobs  and get to keep the first £10 u make before it is deducted