Why is uc asking for my previous year earnings?

[Maxp99]

Hi all I made a claim for uc about 4 weeks ago and this morning I have a note to tell them my previous year’s earnings? I was not on benefits at that time and was working
im now self employed and just gave them my months earnings yesterday and today I get this about last year?

has this happen to anyone ?

thanks

To assess whether you are exempt from the benefit cap.
https://www.gov.uk/benefit-cap/how-earnings-affect-when-benefit-cap-starts

• in each of the 12 months before your earnings went down or you stopped working, you earned the same as or more than the earnings threshold (this was £722 up to 7 April 2024 and is £793 from 8 April 2024)

As @Preachingtotheconverted says.