self-employment & UC LCWRA

sky982

Hey 

I just was wondering what the exact rules are with regards to earnings and LCWRA. I am looking to potentially sell some artwork at some point, it would be sporadic & probably small amounts, dependant on how I feel etc. My question is, when would I need to tell UC, once I've sold something or just state that I have the intent to sell? I'm just considering it at the moment and just want to have all the facts. I have googled it but I know people on here are good at simplifying it all, something about the minimum floor not applying?I know I wouldn't need to tell HMRC unless it was over £1000 in the year?

thanks

chiarieds

Hi @sky982 - you can earn up to a certain amount depending on whether you get any help with your housing costs; if you do it's £292 per month, & if you don't get any help with this it's £512 per month.

If you go above these amounts, then your UC is reduced by 63p for every £1 over. There are some examples here: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/how-your-earnings-affect-your-payments

See too the notes about being self employed at the bottom of the page.

There's some guidance about the minimum floor here, which as you can see is not currently being applied due to Covid-19:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-self-employment-quick-guide/universal-credit-and-self-employment-quick-guide

Adrian_Scope

Hello @sky982. 
Just to add to @chiarieds' great advice, as you're receiving LCWRA the Minimum Income Floor won't apply to you. 
When you first start selling your artwork you would need to report starting self-employment to UC. After that point they'll ask you at the end of each assessment period how much you've earned from self-employment and you'd just fill that information in online. 

The work allowance (amount you can earn before deductions begin) actually increase this month too and are now:
£293 if UC help with your rental costs and £515 if they don't. 

Best of luck and please let us know how you get on, it sounds like a fun venture!