Side hustles and benefits in the UK: what you need to know

More people are doing side hustles just to make things a bit easier.

Paid surveys in the evening. Mystery shopping while you are already out doing the food shop. Nothing fancy. Just trying to stretch the money.

What counts as a side hustle

A side hustle is any extra work that pays you money on top of your benefits or main income.

This includes:

• Paid online surveys
• Mystery shopping
• Freelance or self-employed work
• Selling items online for profit
• Short-term or irregular paid work

Even if the money feels small or patchy, it usually still counts as income.

Can you earn while claiming benefits

Yes. Most benefits are set up to change as your income changes, not stop the moment you earn something.

What matters is:
How much you earn
Which benefit you get
Whether the work is treated as employed or self-employed

The easiest way to explain this is through Universal Credit, as this is what most working-age claimants are on.

How side hustles affect Universal Credit, with real numbers

If you claim Universal Credit, your payment is worked out monthly. It looks at what you earned in that one assessment period.

Universal Credit reduces by 55p for every £1 you earn, after any work allowance.

It does not suddenly stop because you earn a bit. It just nudges down.

These figures are based on current Universal Credit rules and are examples to show how the maths works. The rules and amounts can change.

Work allowance figures

Some people get a work allowance before their Universal Credit starts to reduce. This usually applies if you:

Have a child on your claim
Have limited capability for work

The monthly work allowance is usually:

£379 if you get help with housing costs
£631 if you do not get help with housing costs

Example 1: paid surveys only

You earn £80 in a month from paid surveys.

If you have a £379 work allowance:
The £80 is below the allowance
Your Universal Credit does not reduce

You keep the full £80 and your full benefit.

Example 2: surveys and mystery shopping

You earn:
£40 from surveys
£60 from mystery shopping

That is £100 total in the month.

If you have a £379 work allowance:
All of it is ignored
Your Universal Credit stays the same

This is why small side hustles often help without causing problems.

Example 3: earnings above the allowance

You earn £500 in one month from surveys and mystery shopping combined.

£379 is ignored
£121 is counted

Universal Credit reduces by 55% of £121, which is £66.55.

You earn £500. Your benefit drops by £66.55. You are still better off overall.

One thing that catches people out

Universal Credit only looks at one month at a time.

You might earn £60 one month and £0 the next. That £60 can still affect that single payment, even if things even out later.

What if you do not get a work allowance

If you do not qualify for a work allowance, all earnings are counted.

Example:
You earn £100 from paid surveys in a month
Universal Credit reduces by 55%
Your payment goes down by £55

You keep £45 overall. Not amazing, but still extra money.

A simple rule of thumb is:
Under the work allowance, you usually keep it all
Over it, you normally keep about 45p of every £1

Paid surveys and mystery shopping in real life

Paid surveys are usually small amounts. Often £1 to £5 at a time, paid monthly or once you reach a minimum balance.

Mystery shopping involves visiting shops, cafes, or websites and reporting back. You might get a small fee, a refund on a purchase, or both.

Most people are not making hundreds every month from these. It is usually £20 here, £30 there.

That is why they can work well alongside benefits.

Self-employment and side hustles

If you do surveys or mystery shopping regularly and expect to be paid, Universal Credit will usually treat it as self-employment.

This means you may need to:
Report what you earn each month
Keep basic records of income and costs
Register for Self Assessment if required

Universal Credit uses what you actually earn in each monthly period, not an average.

Is it worth it

This depends on your numbers.

It helps to think about:
How much you realistically expect to earn
Whether you have a work allowance
Any extra costs, like travel

For many people, small and steady side hustles leave them better off, especially if earnings stay under the allowance.

Reporting your earnings

Tell them what you earn. Even if it feels daft. Especially if it feels daft.

Reporting keeps your claim straight and avoids problems later. It is about keeping things clean.

A final reality check

Surveys and mystery shopping can help if you are honest about what you earn and keep it simple. Most problems happen when people hope small amounts will not matter and stay quiet about them.

Know the rules, report what you earn, and extra money stays helpful instead of stressful.