DWP expenses self employed

AbbyB
AbbyB Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
in Work
Hi. I'm an artist with autism who is on UC whilst self employed. Some months I have made a loss some a slight profit. I recently got a business loan that will cover my studio rental for 6 months only. This month I paid my first rent and deposit of 2 × £800. This month I have sold really well and want  to put another 2 x £800 towards future rent. I don't know if this is allowed and my work coach has not replied to my two messages. Any advice please?

Comments

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 16,682 Championing
    Hi @AbbyB - & welcome ro the community. As far as I'm aware, & as you probably know, as a self-employed person you'll need to provide your actual income & expenses on the last day of each of your monthly assessment periods. You can include as an expense up to £41 from the interest owed with a business loan in an assessment period, but I don't know about paying any future, presumably unasked for, rent.
    From just a business point of view, may I ask have you signed a contract with your studio's landlord, & also how often are they expecting payment?
    I'm not completely sure what you mean by another 2 x £800 towards future rent if you've already paid a deposit? If the deposit was one month's rent & you've paid for another month, then by considering paying another £1600, that would be yet another 2 months rent, perhaps. As someone who rented premises which became a retail business, I wouldn't have considered paying rent months in advance.
    I don't know what the DWP would make of that, & whether it would be thought 'reasonable,' but hopefully others will know more.
  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
    Hello @AbbyB and welcome to our online community, how are you keeping?

    Has your work coach replied to any of your messages yet? I understand you wanting 'to get ahead' by paying future months rent with profit, however I wouldn't be able to reliably advise you if this would be considered reasonable by the DWP either I'm afraid. With this in mind, I'd probably err on the side of caution until they've got back to you.

    I'd welcome any other thoughts by our members on the topic  :)

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