Author royalties whilst on Benefits

Hi,

Im really hoping you may be able to help as I am chronically unwell and am housebound/limited energy, therefore cannot access resources/info very easily.

Over the past 5 years I have slowly (and with help) put together a book of poetry which I would like to self-publish as its important for me to share my voice/journey.

My question is how this will affect my benefits:

I am on PIP which Im sure is fine. I am also currently on ESA income related but may need to transfer to UC if I leave my parents house and apply for housing benefit soon to live independly (with carer help.)

SO I need advise regarding how it works relating to both benefits please.

For instance, I do not know it this has to count as permitted work, or could count as savings - as it is royalties?

I would obviously not know an amount I would earn - if anything. And therefore could not access this weekly?

So firstly - How would this extra potential income count? Could it be worked out yearly instead? What would happen if I went over a specified weekly allowance? Or total allowance? And which system works best to support this - UC or ESA please? (My saving are under 6k and I have no other income.)

I just really hope its possible for me to follow this dream of mine, albeit it a small one, and publish. And Id like to find the best way to do so without compromising my benefits - especially if I do end up in my own house.

The only feedback Ive received is that its unlikely Ill earn money so not to worry. But I need to know the facts and would rather be optimistic

Many thanks
C

Hi Gordon

Thankyou. This is the problem I keep meeting - that I can’t find out exact answers. Is there anyone I can go through the specifics with at all?

I wouldn’t know a weekly sales amount and wanted to know if I could average it yearly, because I could keep an eye on sales then, and also what amount I could keep as unearned income before UC affected. Whether this is even allowed?
It’s so complex isn’t it.

I don’t want to lose my benefits esp if I move and sign a lease.

Just need to go through scenarios and best options as I feel stuck as am so keen to publish the book.

Regarding staying on ESA if you could help advise on this also pls let me know too. I don’t get severe disability premium so I figured if I hadn’t got it at present I wouldn’t be able to get it and HB if I moved house and would have to go to UC?

Thanks again
Carly

Thanks Gordon.

Ill have to try to look into it more.

Regarding the SDP that is interesting. Do you know how long it would likely take to authorise - as in how many months rent I would be paying before I could get housing benefit? (Although great if can be backdated.)

The other issue is that at present my Dad does get Carers allowance but I presume I can easily stop this (he is fine with it as we use it as a family to pay for care help anyway) and then apply for the SDP instead when I move?

The other thing (sorry!) is that I cannot actually live alone without care help at the moment and as my parents are separating my Mum is happy to move in for a while. This means we can either do it as officially living together in which case I would not be entitled to SDP of course, and would have to switch to UC, or I think I would be entitled to a 2 bed rate under the provision that it is for a carer - which could be my Mum - in which case would SDP still be applicable?

I guess there are 2 options - switching to UC (which I did come out better off from if we include the carers allowance) OR Seeing if I can stay on legacy benefits knowing long term this would probably be better (and may be easier re earning royalties) esp as Dad will receive state pension in a couple of years anyway.

Sorry for all the questions. I did try to find someone I could speak specially too but had no luck as they would not talk over the phone/email and I am housebound.

C

PS If I do end up applying for permitted work on ESA - even though I am not working and its royalties - would this likely flag up the DWP looking at my case again and assuming I have improved?
PPS Thankyou so much. Your help is very much appreciated.