LCRWA/UC, ESA & PIP - part time working available

Hello

I claim UC and ESA and I am in the LCRWA group due to cancer. I've also got seriously arthritic hands which makes daily life hard. I lost my job because I couldn't type any more.

I've been thinking about using my knowledge in alternate therapies to have a subscription based website - something like Patreon.

The detail needs sorting out obviously, but it would in theory give me a small income each month. I've no idea yet, but a friend has a Patreon account for her art and meditation that gives her about £70 a month.

As it would be a regular income of varying amounts, even though I might not have done anything, I'd still need to report the income each month wouldn't I? And my UC would be deducted from that?

I'm quite excited at being able to do something useful rather than wasting away at home. But I'm also mindful that I can get a bit carried away and not think properly!

Hello
I had a chat with a self-employment advisor at the DWP and she told me that because I get a housing element (factor fees are paid) I can earn £411 per period without it affecting my benefits.

So I went ahead and got started. I declared £202 for this last period and now the statement has come out, I've lost £150 in service charges payments.

I've queried this on my journal. But I've since discovered that as I am an owner/occupier, I now lose this money even though I've been categorised as "not gainfully employed".

The advisor did not say anything about this to me, otherwise I wouldn't have gone ahead. Anything I earn now will be lost to paying service charges.

I'm also now, despite the pain from crippling arthritis, going to *have* to get properly employed. I can't drive any more and it's a mile walk to the local bus stop.

Needless to say I'm feeling distraught about this.