Carers Allowance when Self Employed

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boredcarer

Hi. I've been on Carers Allowance for 13+ years. I'm about to register as Self Employed on UC. I know I will still be entitled to Carers Allowance as I will be earning well under the threshold. But I was wondering what happens with carers Allowance when I tell them I am self employed. Will it stop while they look into it? And once it's all sorted does it just continue weekly as normal? 

I'm just going to be selling very low cost items I make on Etsy. I haven't made any money yet so don't have any finance records to show. But my understanding is I need to tell the relevant benefits when I start selling.

I feel like the easiest option is to stop claiming carers and get the money on UC instead, but I'm in Scotland so would lose the carers supplement. 

Thank you.  

Alex_Alumni

Hi there @boredcarer and thanks for your query, I had a quick look at the Gov.uk website and it looks like you'd only need to let them know if you start earning over £132 a week:

You must report changes in circumstances if you’re claiming or have applied for Carer’s Allowance, for example if:

• you change, start or leave your job
• you start earning more than £132 a week
• you stop being a carer
• you stop providing at least 35 hours of care a week
• you take a holiday or go into hospital - even if you arrange care while you’re away
• the person you care for goes into hospital or takes a holiday

As for what happens when you let them know about a change of circumstances, I'm not 100% sure, as it's not my area of expertise. Are you able to ask your local citizens advice at all?

I hope this helps a little, but do ask if we've missed anything