Under universal credit rules, if you make a loss from your self-employment in one assessment period, you may be able to carry forward that loss to set-off against profit in a future assessment period.

If you are self-employed and claiming universal credit, DWP will need to decide if you are in ‘gainful self-employment’. 

There is a formal appeal process if you want to challenge a decision about universal credit

The minimum income floor applies to some universal credit claims if you are self-employed. It does not apply in all cases. If the minimum income floor applies, you may be treated as earning a certain amount even if your actual earnings from self-employment are lower.

For universal credit, if you are an owner or director of a limited company you may be treated as though you are self-employed and the company income treated as your self-employed income. 

The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of working age benefits that you can receive. If your universal credit is over the amount of your benefit cap, it might be reduced.