Help with Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
A plain-English check to see if Universal Credit (UC) is likely to apply to you, and a printable “readiness pack” of everything you’ll need before you start the online claim.
UC is paid by the DWP and tops up your income if you’re on a low income or out of work. For self-employed people there are a couple of extras: a monthly income report and, after a start-up period, the Minimum Income Floor.
What to expect
- Check — answer a few questions to see if UC is likely to apply to you.
- Prepare — get a readiness pack with what to gather and an explainer of the Minimum Income Floor.
- Apply — make the actual claim online at gov.uk. (We can’t do this for you — but Citizens Advice can help.)
- First payment — about five weeks after your claim date. You can ask for an advance if you need money sooner.
- Each month — report your self-employed income and expenses through your online UC journal. See our guide to the monthly report — including a practical receipts-and-invoices rule that makes it much easier.
If you’d rather have someone walk you through it, the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service is free.
Before you start
UC is means-tested — unlike PIP we’ll ask about your savings, your partner (if any), and your business. We don’t store any of it; the check runs entirely on this device.
UC is for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own version via nidirect.gov.uk.
If you currently get older benefits (Income Support, income-based JSA/ESA, Housing Benefit, Tax Credits), get advice before you claim UC — moving to UC ends those and you can’t usually go back.
Save and continue later
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