Self Employed : Claiming between work?

skellington

This is something I have never really considered, so just asking to see if its something to look into?

I am self-employed as a musician, and have been getting regular work, even though it fluctuates month by month.

So I go from feast (if you can call it that) to famine from month to month.

Is there anything that I can claim for in this instance?
And what are the considerations? I always thought that if I had no work, that I had to use my savings, which is probably the case (and diversify my work) so thought I would ask here.

If there are any benefits, are they tested against savings? or is it something I should be claiming if I earn under a set amount p/a ?

Thank you for any help

p00hsticks

potentially Universal Credit - that is if you have less than £16k savings. You'll be asked to report how much you have earned each month and your payment will be adjusted to reflect that. 
Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

skellington

Thank you p00hsticks, so it is based on savings?
I've had conflicting info that it isn't then it is

BrassicWoman

ask the musicians union for advice, they have been fighting this battle a long time.

p00hsticks

skellington said:

Thank you p00hsticks, so it is based on savings?
I've had conflicting info that it isn't then it is

Have you looked at the link I posted ?
To be eligible you need less than £16k in savings. 
How much you get each period will depend on your earnings during that month. 

itsthelittlethings

JSA is not means tested I don’t think, UC is.