I've just started working for myself and I am a carer for my husband who sufferes with MS, a complicated desease with complicated issues. Mostly he's ok and functioning although of course disabled in lots of ways, but he's on the right cocktail of drugs and manages quite well, that though doesn't stop him needing me around as we all know to well.
I'm working as a pub cook purely part time and self employed which I started on the 29th of November last year, a busy time for hospitality so I did earn well over the £116 allowed. Despite that, I do like the flexibility that self employment, freelancing gives me which I wouldn't have if they had me on the books. I can also charge more and so do less hours. This works well in our current situation as I'm working whole hubby is resting or sleeping and I have my full days at home with him as I'm mostly working evenings and also all day Sunday as I do the roast. I can chop and change the hours though and I do work to suit his needs which is a great relief for me.
I have informed the DWP and they have suspended my careers allowance until I can return the forms they have sent. OK, that's fine and yes I do have a bit of an understanding of expenses etc such as travel, but what I do want to ask is how did anyone else get on in my situation? I'm considering which pension? Should I go out today and lease an electric car etc? Work clothes, tools, that kind of thing? Just how far do I go and what are the implications given that I'm not earning a full time wage but approximately £150 per week once things settle into a routine?
I've been offered an employed role but then that takes away that flexibility and I won't be able to charge travel expenses which will of course cost me just the same. I'd like to add that I do get offered the occasional shift elsewhere and I am a breath away from saying, you know what? Keep the careers to the DWP, but then again why should I?
TIA
Viv
I'm working as a pub cook purely part time and self employed which I started on the 29th of November last year, a busy time for hospitality so I did earn well over the £116 allowed. Despite that, I do like the flexibility that self employment, freelancing gives me which I wouldn't have if they had me on the books. I can also charge more and so do less hours. This works well in our current situation as I'm working whole hubby is resting or sleeping and I have my full days at home with him as I'm mostly working evenings and also all day Sunday as I do the roast. I can chop and change the hours though and I do work to suit his needs which is a great relief for me.
I have informed the DWP and they have suspended my careers allowance until I can return the forms they have sent. OK, that's fine and yes I do have a bit of an understanding of expenses etc such as travel, but what I do want to ask is how did anyone else get on in my situation? I'm considering which pension? Should I go out today and lease an electric car etc? Work clothes, tools, that kind of thing? Just how far do I go and what are the implications given that I'm not earning a full time wage but approximately £150 per week once things settle into a routine?
I've been offered an employed role but then that takes away that flexibility and I won't be able to charge travel expenses which will of course cost me just the same. I'd like to add that I do get offered the occasional shift elsewhere and I am a breath away from saying, you know what? Keep the careers to the DWP, but then again why should I?
TIA
Viv