The York Research Database

Self-employment grew rapidly in the UK during the 1980s, but many of those involved have relatively low earnings. Self-employed people can apply for the main in-work means-tested benefits, but they may have special problems claiming their entitlement. This article discusses the conceptual and administrative complexities involved in assessing self-employed earnings for social security adjudication, concentrating on family credit. The requirements of adjudication for family credit are demanding: they include consistency of treatment in a highly heterogeneous sector with information obtained only through postal applications, equity between self-employed people and wage-earners, speedy responses and minimal opportunities for manipulation.