just a moan, I have been self employed all my life. don't earn a great deal but get by. allways paid my taxes and stamp, I gotta have an operation in jan so thought I would see if they would give me anything for the 3 months I am off, the answer was no I have earned enough to last me the year. I haven't tried to claim anything for twenty years,. (GREAT BRITAIN)
Working for yourself is just that, it gives you certain freedom's i.e. you can claim your VAT back, claim for heat/light, fuel, tools, clothing, phone/internet, repairs and all manner of other things you even get cheaper deals on cars/bikes etc if they have a work application. Part of that freedom is you have to protect yourself for a rainy day/sick/holiday pay etc that's why you get them.
Why should you get any benefits?
Someone who's PAYE and working for a company doesn't get the above freedom's! They may or may not get sick pay depending on their contract and length of service, many are on zero hours or temporary employed and get nothing.
As I said why should being self employed give you anything extra via the social system?
It would seem to me you've just enjoyed the good times now you want the rest of us to pay for your inability to plan and make provision?!