Launching a business whilst on Universal Credit

[Scoot75]

Hello, I am looking for some advice please. I have been a full-time carer for the past year and am in receipt of Universal Credit. During that time, I have been working on a business idea that would work alongside my caring duties. The business is making and selling things online. I have already had one order and I know it's only one, but it's a start.

So what I would like to know is, how do I report this to UC? I know about the App, but for instance I sell these items for £10 but they cost me approximately £4 to make. Will UC take the full £10 off or do they take into account how much the items have cost to make?

I have requested a Work Coach but they won't give me one as they are short-staffed, so I can't ask them.

Would really appreciate some help. I am hoping to build my business so that I can come off UC and be independent.

Thanks.

You need to report a change that you are now self employed. Each month you will be asked to report your earnings and expenses. The amount used to calculate your income from self employment is earnings minus expenses, so £10-£4=£6 per item
There is an amount you can earn where nothing is deducted, then if you go over that threshold it's 55p of every £1 earned which is deducted from your benefit amount

@Andtheyalllookjustthesame thanks. Is there a form I need to fill in, or do I just send it in a message via the App?

I thought you could make something like 1000 as a hobby for tax purposes before it becomes a thing.

You can tell I am not an accountant and no idea how UC works. But I dont think they can say you are self employed if you have sold one thing online for a tenner.

You just report it as a change on your journal

UC has its own set of rules, nothing to do with tax, and does need to be declared differently