Self-employed

People who are self-employed may be able to get Jobseeker Support. This depends on whether they meet all the qualifications.

MSD must be satisfied that a self-employed person who is still working, is available for and seeking full-time employment, is willing and able to undertake it and has taken reasonable steps to find it.

A self-employed person cannot get Jobseeker Support if they are working full-time, even if they are not earning income, or their income is less than the income limit.

Note there is an exception for some clients, see:

If the business is continuing with other staff being paid to run it, you need to look at the following before granting Jobseeker Support:

• was the client working and supporting themselves beforehand?
• if yes, what has changed and why has the client ceased working?
• can the client begin supporting themselves again? When will they be able to do so?

If the client is sick, injured or disabled, they may be able to get Jobseeker Support (health condition, injury or disability) for a specified period.

Brian is a sole trader operating as 'Brian Lawnmowing'

Brian is temporarily unable to work following back surgery and applies for Jobseeker Support as he has no income.

Brian has a medical certificate stating he will not be able to resume work for 13 weeks and has a deferral on his work obligations.

Brian provided a copy of his most recent business accounts and bank statements with his application for benefit.

These accounts show that Brian's business has a net loss for 2023 and is not generating enough income to support him, due to a combination of bad weather and illness.

Brian is sure he will be able to support himself again when he is well again.

Brian has employed his nephew Kevin to do some of the lawnmowing work while he's recovering from his operation.

The wages Brian pays Kevin are a business expense which has further reduced Brian's income.

If a person is only working part-time hours in self-employment they may be able to get Jobseeker Support.

Examples of clients who may be in part-time self-employment include clients operating small retail business such as handmade soaps, knitwear, candles, part-time commission salespeople and hobby farmers.

Some small businesses have a drop in earnings and no scheduled work in the near future.

When these businesses have no funds or cannot access any funds until further work becomes available, a client can get Jobseeker Support if they meet the qualifications.

Example

A contract weed sprayer who has been unable to get any work for 4 weeks and has no work available for the next 4 weeks can be classified as being available for work.

Obtain confirmation that business activities have reduced or stopped, and no income is being received.

If, before the client applies, business has significantly reduced and/or has now stopped, you can disregard income from the business when assessing the rate of Jobseeker Support that can be paid. However, the income must be taken into account for the initial stand-down assessment.

If a regular pattern of income or work starts to emerge or a future contract of 3 - 4 weeks is obtained, the Jobseeker Support should be reviewed.

If the client is working full-time their Jobseeker Support should be suspended or cancelled, unless they are covered by the exception.

Note One-off contract work should be charged in the same way as casual earnings (less any business expenses).