Benefits/small business

pmlindyloo

rogerblack wrote: »

Oops - my reply assumed that IS was on grounds of her disability.

However, doing the above is, or at least could reasonably be viewed as benefit fraud.

Anything you do with the expectation of payment would not be a gift.
If for example you gave 5 friends something, and 4 paid you, but one did not - and then you only gave those 4 something next time - that would be a clear sign you were expecting a gift, and that what is being done is work.
Failing to report being in work will lead to IS being reterospectively withdrawn from the date they believe you started work, and you having to repay it, along with the possibility of prosecution if this exceeds £2K.

Any stock you make while on benefits would not be a personal possession - and hence will count as capital.

Probably the best that can be done is to earn a small amount a week - the £20 - while building up a stock of items for later sale.

Read the above document OP - do you believe you would be entitled to ESA in your own right?
If so - you might consider going off IS and into ESA, with its higher permitted work limits.

I certainly wasn't advocating benefit fraud!

Assumed that OP was at the beginning of her craft work and was suggesting she started in a small way and then see how it went.

If she got a huge demand for her work then she could register as self employed and claim working tax credits.

Certainly going down the ESA route with permitted work seems sensible but then the craft fair might take you over the £95 per week.

Also there is the added stress of claiming ESA.

If it were me I think I would, as already suggested, keep your CA and IS and keep your earnings to below the £20 per week.

Would the OP have to register as self employed to do this?

skintandscared_2

I definitely think it's a good idea to test the water before you start committing to it being your sole income. Don't forget, you've had time to amass a few items without the pressure of HAVING to sell them. You need to factor in how long it would take you to re-make them if, say, you went to a craft fair and sold the lot. You haven't said what you make, but also is it seasonal? You may find you sell lots at Easter/Christmas or at summer fayres but not much in other months?

Mojisola

Does anyone make a living from making stuff and selling at craft fairs or is it mostly an additional income from doing something you enjoy?

inspirespirit

Good point pmlindyloo. Anyone know if I would have to register self employed if I kept below the 20 pounds per week? I make all sorts of things but the main thing I make are memory albums. All different sizes from 6 x 6 up to 12 x 12. I also do polymer clay, traditional decoupage on boxes and other small wooden items.

inspirespirit

Does anyone know a number I can ring to actually speak to a person about my idea? I have phoned about 4 or 5 different numbers this morning trying to get through to Income Support and it just gives me another number to phone and then goes dead. Im going round in circles. I just need to speak to someone or make an appointment to see someone to find out how to go about starting my craft selling. I have done a little bit of marketing and Im certainly not going to be making enough to come off benefits but I might make a little bit to help out.