Universal Credit and Housing benefit & working self employed

Person2025

Hi,

I am currently receiving LCWRA element of UC and also housing benefit. I also currently live in supported accommodation. I am looking at possibly doing Uber eats and Deliveroo work, which I am aware is classed as self employed. What I want to ask is will working certain hours and earning a certain amount affect my UC and HB? And also how I go about informing UC if I do decide to start this kind of work. Information about this online isn't very clear, so any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Spoonie_Turtle

I don't know how it would impact your Housing Benefit.

For UC, you'll have a work allowance - I'm not sure if it'll be the higher or lower as you are claiming help for housing costs, but not through UC.  This means either the first £404 or £673 of your earnings will be ignored before they start taking deductions.
You would have to report your actual income and self-employment expenses at the end of each assessment period, and the difference between the two is taken to be your earnings.

Others will know exactly how you go about reporting if you do start doing this sort of work, and hopefully will know how it might affect your HB too.

Northern_Wanderer

You're work allowance for UC would be £673/ month as you aren't receiving housing element in your UC, any £1 you earn above that would reduce the UC award by the 55% taper (£0.55).You must inform UC via your journal if you intend to do any work. But bear in mind there is the potential that your LCWRA is reasessed but DWP would have to prove why you no longer have LCWRA. It might depend why you got LCWRA. ie if you have mobility issues, you might be able to do work sitting down if you don't have to walk to carry out the job. What basis do you have LCWRA?

I don't have info on HB when in supported accom, but usually HB is means tested so I imagine you'd have to inform them of your income and this would reduce your award.