Job seekers allowance and freelance work

[raindrop83]

I've recently had to claim contribution style JSA due to being unable to find work following redundancy and the Covid situation. I'm also registered as self employed however I haven't had any freelance work since being on JSA. My question is am I able to pick up small bits whilst still claiming? I think you can work 16 hours a week but is that the same if you do small freelance pieces?

Any help massively appreciated.

Anyone??

Have a look at Citizens Advice website under the benefits section. I just did (and cut and paste a bit for you, see below), but its best to read it yourself in full in there. If in doubt, call Citizens Advice.

"You must write to tell the DWP if you or your partner:

start working (even if it’s not paid)
change your hours to more than 16 a week
stop working
start earning more money
start earning less money
You should tell them even if it’s just one payment, or won’t be the same amount regularly. Explain how much money you think it will be in total and how long for. If you don’t know the exact amount, work out what you think it might be and tell the DWP it’s an estimate.

If you’re starting a new job, include in your letter:

your employer’s name and address
when the job started
how many hours you work each week
how much money you earn - before tax and other deductions
if money is being taken off for a pension - tell them how much it is, if you can"

Thanks, it's the self employed bit which isn't very clear, I can't find it covered anywhere...

CIt Ad will know but my guess is you would have to declare it as you would earned income from employment. DWP always want to know everything.

I guess if you think it through logically, why wouldn't they want to know? They couldn't need to know employed peoples data and just ignore anyone self employed.

Good luck.
Hope you get things sorted.