We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
Self-employed & Universal Credit
Comments
-
If UC decides that a Decision Maker needs to review voluntarily leaving employment, yes you will have opportunity to provide any evidence.
I think you need to consider whether claiming UC would actually help you, even if not sanctioned for leaving paid employment. If the minimum income floor is applied after 12 months trading and you have bad trading months, how would you pay for basic living costs ? Some people on UC who are self employed, can really struggle, if they don't have savings or a partner in paid work, to help them get by.The comments I post are personal opinion. Always refer to official information sources before relying on internet forums. If you have a problem with any organisation, enter into their official complaints process at the earliest opportunity, as sometimes complaints have to be started within a certain time frame.0 -
I think you need to consider whether claiming UC would actually help you, even if not sanctioned for leaving paid employment. If the minimum income floor is applied after 12 months trading and you have bad trading months, how would you pay for basic living costs ? Some people on UC who are self employed, can really struggle, if they don't have savings or a partner in paid work, to help them get by.
That’s actually the one area I have no worries.
All aspects of my trading and business plan are solid. I don’t intend to go over the MIF 12 month period - my business plan shows I should not need UC at all after 3 months full time self-employment has passed.
I live at home with parents with 0 dependents, therefore my basic living costs would be covered by UC up until the point where my trading should cover them, which shouldn’t be long.0 -
That’s actually the one area I have no worries.
All aspects of my trading and business plan are solid. I don’t intend to go over the MIF 12 month period - my business plan shows I should not need UC at all after 3 months full time self-employment has passed.
I live at home with parents with 0 dependents, therefore my basic living costs would be covered by UC up until the point where my trading should cover them, which shouldn’t be long.
As your entitlement would simply be the basic £317 per month as a single person (or less if you are under 25 years old) would it not make more sense to get a 1 or 2 day a week job say in your local shop to earn a basic wage? Then you can concentrate on your self employment the rest of the time. You wouldn't then have to worry about sanctions, or job centre meetings or any other hassle.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.7K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 259.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards