UC Work Allowance and self employment

baconandegg

Me and my husband are now on universal credit. We receive the housing allowance. I receive contributions based esa.

I know that in these circumstances, the max either/both of us can earn is £292 a month. There is a possibility that on a self-employed basis I could earn £300 a month. This is a fixed fee for writing a report. So, I think I could manage to do one of these a month in which case, can I report to UC each month an amount that I've calculated after the deductions self-employed can make which would bring the £300 well under the £292 limit?

Spoonie_Turtle

For UC there is no rigid limit to how much you can earn. In your circumstances with contributions-based ESA then you are the only one limited in how much you can earn, based on the permitted work rules.

The work allowance for UC is how much earned income they ignore before making a deduction of 63% of what you've earned above that.

Spoonie_Turtle

Oops, can't edit my post again just yet but here are the permitted work rules for ESA https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/while-youre-getting-esa/working-while-getting-esa/

Your husband can earn however much he wants (unless he's also receiving ESA, which I assume it's not the case as you only said you were).

calcotti

baconandegg said:

..., the max either/both of us can earn is £292 a month. 

£292 is the amount of earnings that are completely ignored. For every pound over this UC will reduce by 63p but there is no limit.
As spoonie says, if you wish to retain your ESA, you need to make sure you do not breach the Permitted Work rules and should tell ESA before starting work.

baconandegg said:... can I report to UC each month an amount that I've calculated after the deductions self-employed can make which would bring the £300 well under the £292 limit?

For UC you report actual income received and actual expenditure incurred - they take the difference as your earnings. 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-self-employment-quick-guide/how-to-report-your-earnings-from-self-employment
There are some flat rate expense deductions you can apply

baconandegg

Thank you.