Self Employed and going to the dogs

A question about : Self Employed and going to the dogs

Hi, My husband has been self employed for over 20 years but for the past couple of years work has dropped dramatically.
Last year he only earned Ј900 profit for the whole of the year.
We never claimed benefits until then when we were awarded working tax credit of Ј83 a week and housing and council tax benefit.
After bills we currently have Ј38 to live on and I am worried about heating costs in the winter,as they are going up Ј40 a month and we have very little work coming in.
Do you know if we will be able to claim anything to help with the winter bills.
Many Thanks

Best answers:

• He could quit work completely (using the reason not ecomically viable to continue-to avoid being sanctioned) and get income based job seekers allowance which would be Ј111.45 per week for a couple. You would continue to get your housing and council tax benefit but would lose the Ј900 profit per year and any fringe benefits that the self employed business provides you such as a contribution towards your household bills as a business expense.
  Or you could look for work yourself if you have the ability to work.