30 free hours if you earn less than £131/week

[Depechetoi]

I'm currently self employed after leaving a very stressful job where I worked full time. This week I have made £129, next week I have no idea what I'll make as I've lost a bit of business. I know that if you're on a zero hours contract then you have to make the full amount for every quarter, but I don't work during school holidays and get no holiday pay as a self employed person. I'm working part time and trying to find more work, however I won't make enough to cover nursery fees so it makes sense to stay part time for now.

Do HMRC check up if you're a few quid short week-week? Starting to worry now

I'm no expert but in a similar position - I had a contract role which ran from January to October, and have picked up bits and pieces here and there since but it's thin. I think at this stage of the tax year that if you have earned enough to make an average of the minimum, then you should be fine. There was a note on my three month confirmation to that effect. Well, that's how I read it anyway. Hopefully someone with better knowledge will be here soon!

I was self employed and they never checked up. I did earn enough and my end of year returns would have matched what I declared but I don’t think they cross checked and if they did they wouldn’t have know when in the year I earnt the money. As neigh says I think they allow you a bit of flex so if you earn more some weeks and less others it’s fine.

It's averaged over the period you confirm for, so 3 months. Do you make enough if you spread it out?

I think there's a grace period, too.

Do you make enough if you spread it out?

I'm not sure, that's the thing.

I think there's a grace period, too

How many are you entitled to? I've used one already.