Self employment and benefits - Self employment and benefits: Frequently asked questions

1. Can I get self-employed Maternity Pay?

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid by an employer when an employee leaves work to have a baby. If you are self employed, you cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay as you are working for yourself and therefore do not have an employer.

If you are self employed and temporarily unable to work due to having a baby, you should check if you qualify for Maternity Allowance.

2. I am self employed. Can I claim paternity benefits?

The main paternity benefit is Statutory Paternity Pay. This is paid by an employer to an employee who meets the qualifying conditions to cover a period of leave for a birth or an adoption. If you are self employed, you cannot get Statutory Paternity Pay as you are working for yourself and therefore do not have an employer.

3. Can I get self-employed Sick Pay?

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is paid by an employer when an employee is unable to work due to sickness. If you are self employed, you cannot get Statutory Sick Pay as you are working for yourself and therefore do not have an employer.

If you are self employed and temporarily unable to work due to illness, you should check if you have made enough national insurance contributions to qualify for New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

4. Can a self-employed person get any help to pay the mortgage on their home?

You will only be able to get help towards the mortgage interest payments on your home if you are entitled to one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Pension Credit

You cannot make new claims for Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. You cannot get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance if you work more than 16 hours or more per week, or your partner who you live with works more than 24 hours per week.

If you work part time and your earnings, other income and capital are low enough and you meet the other rules for these benefits, you might be able to claim a Support for Mortgage Interest Loan.

To find out whether you can get one of these benefits while working self-employed, use our Benefits Calculator.

If you get Universal Credit, you can only claim a Support for Mortgage Interest loan if you have no earned income at all. 

5. Can I get any help growing/starting my business?

There are various schemes to support self employed people develop their business. 

Different schemes run in different countries of the UK.

Ask your work coach or check our page on getting into work for more information. 

Reviewed: April 2022