Universal credit migration notice- self employed

[Pollypol]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help or going through similar…

I’ve just received a migration notice to move onto universal credit from tax credits.. I’m currently self employed and a good month is around £550 for me, I suffer with severe anxiety and depression and I’m absolutely dreading have to move onto universal credit as I’ve heard so many horror stories about it. Has anyone moved on to universal credit and can share the process with being self employed? Thank you

Pollypol, I know you posted in May, but I'm wondering how you got on?

I am self employed, but I have a lot of health conditions and won't meet the minimum income floor, by a small amount. I know the MIF doesn't apply for the first year but I'm just concerned about the whole assessment process, plus it's more work on top of what I'm already doing which is a lot even though I'm not quite meeting the MIF.

Hello! So I had my interview and was found to be gainfully self employed. I have a year start up period. When you go for your interview they will either find you gainfully or not gainfully self employed. If you are found not, then you have to attend weekly meetings and look for other work. If it’s found you are then it’s only an appointment once every three months. You can also apply for lwca which I have, you have to keep getting doctors notes whilst waiting for your assessment to come through. My work coach was lovely, I think I just got lucky. But tbh im not sure I’m gonna reach my target after my assessment period is up so not sure what I’ll do, but that’s a problem for a years time. Hope this helps!

UC are now asking me to get a fit note.

Does anyone know whether I need to see the doctor for this. It might sound stupid but I haven't had to ask for one for about 7 years since being self employed and I don't know how it works now. I've got health conditions which have been managed by doing 16 hours or less per week

Do you have to get the fit note from the doctor and for how long would they need it for, my health problems are not likely to improve or get worse (unless made to do more than I can)

I thought I would be filling out a form, telling them about my health and then they would decide what they needed from the doctor.

Can anyone advise who's been through this? thankyou

Sorry Pollypol, above post was meant to be posted under my own thread not this one :-/

No problem but I can answer this! You need to keep getting fit notes until you have your limited work capability assessment otherwise they will deem you fit for work. You can apply for one through the nhs app if you have that linked to your doctors!

Thanks Pollypol, sorry to jump on your thread.

It's all a bit strange to me because I am working, self employed, I just do a low number of hours because of my health. It's going to be difficult communicating that to a doctor, I can't work, but I can, etc.

Working tax credits regarded me as self employed. I suppose the system now doesn't. But then I have a UTR number and accounts etc. so confusing.

Will just have to see how it pans out but it's going to be strange going to the doctor asking for a fit note when I'm still working, all be it reduced hours.

It isn’t strange at all! Everyone has different circumstances! Just explains everything to your doctor and what uc are asking for etc. tbh I don’t think universal credit is fit for purpose. They put it in one hand and take it out the other. My council tax bill has jumped to £160 a month because I’m earning a little more than I did with my self employment.

We have just migrated for tax credits.. My blood pressure medication is being doubled on Friday! Self employed isn't worthwhile ime. If I had a part time job I could manage my health issues and not be penalised..

Sorry to hear that! It is very stressful I agree, some areas need to be looked at because a lot of it isn’t fair! I think I got lucky with a lovely work coach who has given me the year start up period for self employment but being honest the minimum income floor that will be set after this year is up is just unachievable for me but that’s a problem for next year. I hope it all gets sorted for you! Try not to worry about it too much!