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

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.

The surplus earnings rules apply whether you are employed or self-employed or both. The rules mean that excess earnings are carried forward from one assessment period to another if certain conditions are met. They are then treated as extra income in a later assessment period.

This page explains how to report your self-employed income and how it is calculated for universal credit.

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.