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

Universal credit is a monthly award and payments are generally made monthly.  In Northern Ireland, payments are usually made twice monthly. There are a number of alternative payment options available depending on your circumstances.

Your pay as an employee will usually affect the amount of your universal credit award. In most cases, information about your pay (as an employee) will be sent to DWP and DfC automatically from HMRC and this page looks at how that information is used and in which assessment period.

This part of the website explains how universal credit works if you are self-employed.