Self-employed - all clients cancelled. What do I do now?

[NoSenseNonsense]

I really have tried to find out this information for myself but I'm so tired and confused and frightened nothing is making sense.

I've been self-employed for just over two years as a cleaner/domestic help. Low earning due to mental health restrictions but I've supported myself without any benefits help during this time. Before that I was employed part time for years and again supported myself by having a frugal life and just paying the bills. My 1 bed flat is £500 a month and so far I've heard not a peep from my LL to say 'don't worry'. £6000 a year paid for 6 years with never a problem and barely a phonecall to her. Place kept spotless and maintained as due to my issues I repair/replace things myself rather than have workmen etc come round. I'm lucky in being competant at DIY, plumbing and other maintenance jobs. I've even repaired the bloody washing machine once!

In the past week all my clients have cancelled with the last two calling me just today. 25 hours a week work gone in less than a week. I have bills covered for 1st of April and an extra £200 which is my 'savings'. Recently more than halved due to my car breaking down and needing repairs. I have tried to prepare for emergencies and have covered myself for a few £100-£300 bills in the last couple of years. Now there's nothing left

The last time I claimed any help was in 2010 when I was made redundant. I had another job within six weeks so only got one or two payments. It was very stressful to claim, be in the centre, go for interviews within DWP etc.

I've tried to make sense of news reports and read .gov pages but I'm still non the wiser!

Even this .gov page isn't clear.

Coronavirus and claiming benefits

I'm SE but not already claiming so is this saying UC is not an option?

I'm not sick myself so can't claim SSP - is that correct?

That seems to leave JSA - well I won't be jobseeking as I'll be going back to my clients as soon as I am able to.

ESA - The news reports I've read only mention this in the case of the SE person being sick.

Has anyone seen a definitive answer on this anywhere? I have a banging headache and can't face trawling more webpages and becoming more confused and upset.

Thoughts and best wishes to everyone.

Meant to also say I'm worried sick about doing a claim for the wrong thing and that then delays matters further.

Hi I'm self employed too and have been looking at benefits. I think as long as you have been paying your NI contributions you are entitled to contribution based benefits - about 70 quid a week as far as I can see. You can try ringing the Citizens Advice Bureau on Monday to see if they can help you find out more

You need to apply for UC - this is the only.way you will get money towards the rent.

Have you contacted your landlord to ask what will happen? They might have a lot on their plate and contacting you isn’t foremost in their mind.

one reason you may not have heard from your landlord is that he/she does not know where their insurers stand if you can't pay. Telling tenants 'don't worry' may invalidate rent guarantee insurance.

now, the fuckwit contingent on here will all pile on bleating the usual crap, but if your landlord can't pay for the place it WILL mean you get evicted because mortgage companies can still do that. So that insurance could be vital for both of you.

if you refused access for fixes and did them yourself, that was your choice.

You're right you shouldn't apply for SSP but UC. The rates are the same. You can claim Universal Credit including Housing Benefit (called Housing Element now) as an employed person (the minimum income floor has been suspended). This will most likely also qualify you for Council Tax reduction. Make a claim immediately. You report your income monthly so if your clients return you can keep your claim but the amount will be reduced.

If ur healthy try and get a temp job in a supermarket etc.

Thank you for the advice everyone. I will do a UC claim.

Care home group called four seasons are also recruiting, they’ll need cleaners too.

I’m se too and I’ve lost most my income. Are there any cleaning companies near you that do contracts for hospitals? They’ll need people soon. I heard Morrison’s are recruiting for shopping pickers Instore.

Get a temporary job at one of the supermarkets?