Universal Credit questions 31 July at 3:53PM in Benefits & Tax Credits 7 replies 271 views

CBL123

I’m in my late 20s and considering claiming Universal Credit for the first time.

I’ve never been employed, and on the whole rely on my parents to live. Until recently, I occasionally did work for my dad, but this is no longer the case.

I’m registered as self-employed as I earn between 1 to 2 grand a year from a couple of self-published books.

My first question is how would that income affect my Universal Credit claim?

My second question is, I’m effectively a recluse, and I don’t think I’m mentally capable of working. Is there a chance I could be exempt from job searching?

KatrinaWaves

Such low earnings wouldn’t effect UC. 

Do you live at home (I’m assuming you must) because if so you will not get any help with housing costs, just the standard UC allowance.

Depending on your issues you may be classed as having limited capability for work, but you may need to prove that with doctors notes and assessments. It wouldn’t normally be taken as fact from your word.

Would writing more books be something you could do, as your other ones seem to doing well if you get a couple of grand a year from a couple of books! 

CBL123

Ideally I’d be able to make a living from the books, but after 3 months they receive much less exposure on Amazon. So in the last two years, I’ve had earnings for the first three months of the year then nothing.

calcotti

If you want your health to be taken into account you will need a Fit Note from your GP confirming that you have a health condition limiting your ability to work. You can then report this to UC and they will carry out a Work Capability Assessment.

CBL123

Do they grant limited capability to work to people with anxiety?

calcotti

CBL123 said:

Do they grant limited capability to work to people with anxiety?

Assessments are based on the impact of health conditions noton the health condition itself. It depends on how your anxiety affects you.

Spoonie_Turtle

Some info here:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/ESA_criteria
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/help-with-your-esa-claim/fill-in-form/
https://wcainfo.net/

(A couple of those links refer to ESA but the Work Capability Assessment and descriptors are exactly the same for ESA and UC; a WCA is a WCA regardless of which benefit it's for.)

TheShape

KatrinaWaves said:

Such low earnings wouldn’t effect UC. 

Is that correct?

'Earnings' of 1 to 2 thousand per year wouldn't prevent the OP from claiming but would need to be declared and would have an impact on the UC payable.  If the income is in the form of royalties I also think they would be taken fully into account as non-work income and reduce the award pound for pound.

Far from having no effect, £2k of royalties paid in equal payments across 12 months would reduce OPs payments by >40% if only receiving the standard allowance.

Being awarded LCWRA would enhance the amount payable but I don't think the work allowance would aid the OP if receiving non-work warnings (royalties).