Help needed - starting up business/tax credits

[hopelessbusiness]

I've been on furlough since March and found out yesterday that I'm being made redundant next month. I'm in a part of the country famous for low wages so my salary wasn't great but I am topped up with tax credits.
I'm considering setting up an ironing business but am confused about how this will work. Initially obviously I will have little/no income until I build up a customer base - will I continue to get TCs or is there something else that will support me in the meantime?
Single parent, 2 teenagers.

Don’t you get child benefit? Child support from kids father? Housing benefit? Council tax benefit?

Your redundancy pay?

@RingORingORoses no redundancy pay, only there 1 yr.
No HB or CTB. Do get maintenance but that goes on kids/household expenses. Maintenance & CB not enough to cover bills, let alone buy food.

I'm trying to help a friend through a similar situation

It's a fucking nightmare!!

Unfortunately I have no idea how to advise you, but just wanted to say 'you're not alone'
...and a bump so someone who can help sees your post!!

@MJMG2015 - thanks. Hope your friend sorts something out :)

You declare yourself self employed and you’ll be able to continue claiming either tax credits or Universal Credit based on your income, at least for the first year of your self employment whilst you build a client base. After that, the DWP will require you to demonstrate that your business is “viable”, which means you’ll need to be earning the equivalent of NMW based on working 40 hours per week. This differs from the old tax credits system which allowed people to run a “business” which didn’t make them any money indefinitely whilst claiming maximum tax credits.

@comtessa

Do you work in tax credits?