Universal credit: Self-employment

People who are self-employed can also claim Universal Credit. Universal Credit introduces some extra rules for some claimants who are self-employed, such as applying a deemed amount of earnings in some cases known as the minimum income floor, and the way earned income from self-employment is worked out is not the same as for income tax purposes.

You can find more information about self-employment and Universal Credit on the following pages.

What counts as self-employment for UC?
Calculating income from self-employment
Surplus earnings and losses
Reporting income from self-employment
Gainful self-employment
Minimum income floor
Companies
Summary of differences between tax credits and UC
Legislation and guidance on self-employment

Last reviewed/updated 1 July 2022