How would medical trials affect Universal Credit?

StacFace

I'm unemployed on Universal Credit and have seen some adverts for medical trials offering large sums. One in particular looks very legit and involves getting paid £2-£4k for a 10+ day residential stay. I'm assuming this counts as income and would expect not to receive any benefit payment that month. However, would it also affect any future payments as it is such a large amount?

They also offer travel reimbursements for initial visits (for health checks to determine eligibility, ensuring informed consent etc), would these amounts need to be declared as income? The first time is £20 but then it goes up to £50-£75 for later visits (the clinics are several hours away).

Mersey_2

I doubt any firm pays as much as £2k-4k up front, so it may well suit UC ie if you receive £500 each month or whatever.


The self-employed in receipt of UC are allowed to declare expenses with their monthly declaration of earnings (reporting by 'phone to the UC contact centre). It's similar to what you'll declare to HMRC for self assessment purposes. Although there are differences in what the DWP and councils accept as expenses, compared with what HMRC allow.


PS If you receive eg 4k in one month and report that as that month's reporting period (they're monthly), you're right that'd result in a Nil UC payment for the following month. But no, it would not affect the subsequent month's UC payments - unless of course £4k took you over the £8k savings threshold.