Hi, my name is webstar! would like to turn my hobby into a business, would I lose my benefits?

webstar
webstar Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
edited November 27 in Benefits and income

HI I'm currently receiving high rate PIP and universal credit as I'm unable to do a regular job.

I would like to try and turn my hobby into a business from home because i can do it slowly.

My question is would I lose my disability benefits because I'd be working. I hope this makes sense.

Thanks

Comments

  • Emilee
    Emilee Online Community Member Posts: 235 Empowering

    It is possible to work even full time and claim disability benefits. For UC you would be considered self-employed, so it is important you understand how that works on UC.

    At reassessment for PIP or LCWRA they may ask about your work, as they will want to determine that the work you do does not contradict your reasons for claiming. An example would be if you received 8 points for Cannot prepare and cook food on PIP, but were working as a chef with a side business of baking cakes, they may question this.

  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 8,327 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Heya @webstar and welcome to the community. 😊

    Starting up your own business sounds amazing, what would you be doing? Getting paid to do your hobby is the dream for so many. 😊

    As Emilee has said, you can work whilst claiming PIP with no loss of money, but if your work contradicts your PIP award, they may reduce or stop your claim.

    With regard to UC, you can be on UC as "Gainfully self employed" if you can show them you're earning money and it's your primary income. So you'll still get UC but there will be a years grace period where the earnings cap is raised so you can get a bit more help.

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