Self-employment: Reporting income from self-employment

DWP says claimants should report their self-employed earnings by the end of the assessment period. If the claimant has not reported their self-employed income by the end of the assessment period, they will receive a message at the end of an AP telling them that they will not receive any UC until they have reported their earnings. If self-employed earnings are not then reported within 14 days, the claimant will receive another notification that payment of UC is suspended and that their claim will be closed if they don’t report within a further calendar month. Claimants should do this via their online UC account. If help is needed, the UC helpline should be able to provide support (0800 328 5644 textphone 0800 328 1344). 

Reporting self-employed earnings on time is very important. Generally, the calculation of earned income is to be based on actual amounts received in the period but DWP has the power to make a determination as to the amount of a person's earned income in relation to an assessment period where a person has failed to report information in relation to that earned income. That determination can be based on an estimate of the amounts received or expected to be received in that assessment period.

If DWP does not make an estimate, then failure to report earnings could lead to a delay in UC payment.

Last reviewed/updated 11 July 2022