From benefits to self-employed

LJB_Paints

Hi there. I am currently a full-time carer for my partner and existing on various benefits:
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Carer's Allowance and my partner receives PIP
As a hobby I create digital art and designs which I've been told I should be selling. I'm seeking advice on the implications on benefits etc if I set up and Etse or a Folksie shop. What I'm worried about is that the income from this will be potentially non-existent at first and following on will almost certainly be inconsistent. We absolutely cannot afford to have a gap in which we have no income coming in. Is this even possible?! I would really appreciate some advice.
Thanks.:)

Comms69

LJB_Paints wrote: »

Hi there. I am currently a full-time carer for my partner and existing on various benefits:
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Carer's Allowance and my partner receives PIP
As a hobby I create digital art and designs which I've been told I should be selling. I'm seeking advice on the implications on benefits etc if I set up and Etse or a Folksie shop. What I'm worried about is that the income from this will be potentially non-existent at first and following on will almost certainly be inconsistent. We absolutely cannot afford to have a gap in which we have no income coming in. Is this even possible?! I would really appreciate some advice.
Thanks.:)

I'm not sure about income support, but the rest shouldn't be affected straight away.

martindow

LJB_Paints wrote: »

As a hobby I create digital art and designs which I've been told I should be selling.

Friends and family who are receiving your work as a gift will often say things like this. It can be very different when they need to hand over real money.

You need to do some research on the likely selling cost and price up your expenses to work out an hourly rate to see if this really can translate into a true business.