UC and streaming

BlackfoxCadara
BlackfoxCadara Online Community Member Posts: 18 Connected
in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

So i have no idea where to even begin with this, DWP / jobcentre want me to declare it as self employment. but i don't really make any money on twitch or my other soical media platforms because for years it's muddy as water on what is and isn't allowed. and with Keir stammers cronies endlessly moving the goalposts it's hard to know what is what.

the best way i can explain streaming is you are basically busking, only your platform is online instead of a patch in a street for set amount of time so there is no solid income from it. and most are my streams (as in 99.9%) are in aid of Charites because up until recently i've been terrified of effecting my partners ESA. WELL we've been moved off of ESA on to UC, and PIP despite my partners needs keep giving him 0 points even tho i need to help him with his toileting and his bathing and dressing among other things
i'm littraly his 24/7 carers and frankly i'm feeling overwhelmed by DWP now wanting me to do 20h of job search a week Plus my caring for my partner. i do a bit of streaming at weekends and sometimes mid week, my partner even joins in on it because it's the best way for me to keep an eye on him.
so where the heck do i start? anyone here know anything on self employment as I'm basically a busker online, but a freelancer in the same stroke.

Comments

  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 5,226 Championing

    Hi,

    This is quite simple for UC. You just inform them of your self employment, then put your earnings in via the journal on the final day of the assessment period each month. You must do it every month, even if you have earnt £0 in that month.

    If you start earning enough to meet the minimum amounts then UC will turn off your work search requirements. If you don't have health conditions yourself, and can't be classed as a carer because your partner doesn't get a qualifying benefit, then you will be treated as a job seeker for now unfortunately.

  • Lauren29
    Lauren29 Online Community Member Posts: 184 Empowering

    I think that you need to contact an organisation such as Citizens Advice for advice on your partner's PIP claim. If you need to help him with his toileting and his bathing and dressing among other things and he is being scored 0 points then something is going wrong. If he was to be awarded PIP then you could claim the Carer's Element and you wouldn't be asked to work.

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