UC & Self Employemnt

3littlegems

Hi all

Hopefully i`m posting in the right section! I have had a could search through threads to try and find some answers but im not getting entirely what i want so hopefully someone can help me here.

About us and sorry for the waffle!

My husband and i claim UC, he works full time and has a good salary we have children on our claim one of which qualifies for middle rate dla and i also claim the carers element for him. I am currently not required to look for work (i dont know why either) children on claim are 16,11,8 & 6 (three only qualify)

I want to become self employed as a Reseller (no hate please) I`ve always sold our family items through ebay, had an account since way back when payments were done by cheque ! We actually have 6 children so there has always been stuff to sell. Like most i`ve moved over to vinted but still sell on both. 

I have contacted UC via the journal and ive called them and im just sent links which ive read. I understand about being either gainfully self employed or having a start up period. But i need to know how UC payments are affected directly.

My actual question is this. If i bring in £500 one month after expenses/costs deductions etc how would that affect our payment? Is there a way to work out the figures? Income would be variable and presumably after the 12 month start up id have to earning the minimum income floor rate but can this be done part time or do i have to be full time?

At some point im going to be required to look for work and due to our family dynamic self employment is the better option but in all honesty i`m terrified to make the leap and being worse off. We moved over from tax credits about 9 months ago and we are better off but equally it would be nice to be in a position where we`re not reliant on it either.

Many thanks if you read it all!

rosewalk

You are not required to work as you are in receipt of the carer element and so have no work requirements. If you continue to be in receipt of this element you won't be subject to the Minimum Income Floor. There is some useful information on the Citizens Advice website at 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6605612/www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/universal-credit-payments-if-youre-self-employed/

3littlegems

rosewalk said:

You are not required to work as you are in receipt of the carer element and so have no work requirements. If you continue to be in receipt of this element you won't be subject to the Minimum Income Floor. There is some useful information on the Citizens Advice website at 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6605612/www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/universal-credit-payments-if-youre-self-employed/

Many thanks for your reply, the link doesn't show me anything but i`ll dig a bit more on the forum and look on the citizens advice page.

Moved from tax credits to uc and received first payment Aug 2024 and no mention of me requiring to work. Dla and carers element wasn't added in until Nov 2025. Also i understood it i would have to be claiming Carers Allowance to not be required to look for work?

Spoonie_Turtle

3littlegems said:

rosewalk said:

You are not required to work as you are in receipt of the carer element and so have no work requirements. If you continue to be in receipt of this element you won't be subject to the Minimum Income Floor. There is some useful information on the Citizens Advice website at 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6605612/www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/universal-credit-payments-if-youre-self-employed/

Many thanks for your reply, the link doesn't show me anything but i`ll dig a bit more on the forum and look on the citizens advice page.

Moved from tax credits to uc and received first payment Aug 2024 and no mention of me requiring to work. Dla and carers element wasn't added in until Nov 2025. Also i understood it i would have to be claiming Carers Allowance to not be required to look for work?

No, just the carer element of UC.  And that will presumably continue for as long as your child continues to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit and you provide the requisite account of care for him.  (Before that, your husband was probably earning enough that they left you alone anyway.)

In terms of how earnings affect your UC, the deduction will be 55% of what you earn (income minus expenses).

born_again

3littlegems said:

rosewalk said:

You are not required to work as you are in receipt of the carer element and so have no work requirements. If you continue to be in receipt of this element you won't be subject to the Minimum Income Floor. There is some useful information on the Citizens Advice website at 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6605612/www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/universal-credit-payments-if-youre-self-employed/

Many thanks for your reply, the link doesn't show me anything but i`ll dig a bit more on the forum and look on the citizens advice page.

Moved from tax credits to uc and received first payment Aug 2024 and no mention of me requiring to work. Dla and carers element wasn't added in until Nov 2025. Also i understood it i would have to be claiming Carers Allowance to not be required to look for work?

Take it that was a typo & should be Nov 24?

3littlegems

born_again said:

3littlegems said:

rosewalk said:

You are not required to work as you are in receipt of the carer element and so have no work requirements. If you continue to be in receipt of this element you won't be subject to the Minimum Income Floor. There is some useful information on the Citizens Advice website at 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6605612/www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/universal-credit-payments-if-youre-self-employed/

Many thanks for your reply, the link doesn't show me anything but i`ll dig a bit more on the forum and look on the citizens advice page.

Moved from tax credits to uc and received first payment Aug 2024 and no mention of me requiring to work. Dla and carers element wasn't added in until Nov 2025. Also i understood it i would have to be claiming Carers Allowance to not be required to look for work?

Take it that was a typo & should be Nov 24?

Yes sorry!