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Home > Benefits Guides > Working hours: benefits rules > Calculating work hours: Self-employed people

Working hours: benefits rules - Calculating work hours: Self-employed people

If you are doing paid work for an employer or are self-employed but on a low income, you may still qualify for certain welfare benefits. Benefit entitlement can depend on how many hours of paid work you do per week.

  1. 1. Which benefits are affected by hours worked?
  2. 2. How are benefits affected by hours worked?
  3. 3. How do I calculate hours of paid work?
  4. 4. Calculating work hours : Employees
  5. 5. Calculating work hours: Self-employed people
  1. 6. Calculating work hours: Maternity Leave
  2. 7. Calculating work hours: Sick Leave
  3. 8. Calculating work hours: Fluctuating hours of work
  4. 9. Calculating work hours: Seasonal Workers
  5. 10. Calculating work hours: Term Time Workers

Calculating work hours: Self-employed people

Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance

If you are self-employed, it is the number of hours normally performed for payment or expectation of payment that count.

You should include all the hours needed to run your business ie visiting potential clients; typing up estimates; buying stock; bookkeeping etc.

Tip: keep a diary note of all hours you do for your business in case you need to show proof.

Working Tax Credit

If you are self-employed, it is the number of hours normally performed for payment or expectation of payment.

You should count all the necessary hours needed to run your business, including visiting potential clients, typing up estimates, buying stock, bookkeeping etc.

Tip: Keep a diary to record all the hours you do for your business in case you need to show proof.

 

Reviewed: September 2021


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