JobSeeker's Allowance is available if you are working less than 16 hours per week, which is averaged for self employed people.

Any eligible person can claim tax credits, if you are working over 16 hours per week and getting paid for this work.  In addition, you need to be 16 or over and responsible for a child or disabled, or 25 or over and working 30 hours per week.  You can also get them if you are over 50 and recently started work, depending on the benefits you received before you found employment.  The amount of tax credits you might get depends on your income as well, and this online tool can help you calculate how much, if any, you might be entitled to.

An excellent overview of much of this information, and a lot more, can be found on the Citizen's Advice Bureau website.

•   29 September Department for Work and Pensions Public Enquiries
  website

  dwp.gov.uk/contact-us/

  Contacts for local offices for enquiries about all benefits, as well as contact information for ministers in the Department.

•   29 September Citizen's Advice Bureau
  website

  http://www.adviceguide.org.uk
  website

  http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

  Citizens Advice Bureau are one stop shops where basic advice and information on your rights can be obtained. There are many centres around the UK and also an online advice.

•   29 September JobCentre Plus
  website

  http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

  Manages and delivers benefits on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, including JobSeeker's Allowance and some others. Can also help unemployed people with training and finding work.

•   29 September Community Care
  website

  http://www.communitycare.co.uk

  Excellent resource for an overview of the benefits system, including articles on new benefits and elegibility.

• self employment
• benefits
• money