Universal Credit reporting dates calculator for the self-employed

If you are self-employed and claim Universal Credit, you report your business income and expenses every month. Enter the day your assessment period starts and this tool lists your upcoming periods, the window for reporting each one and roughly when you will be paid.

Checked for 2026/27 — uses the rates for 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027, last reviewed 27 October 2026.

Your reporting dates

Report your current period between

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Assessment periods and reporting windows
Assessment period	Report from	Report by

Results update as you type. No sign-up, and nothing you enter leaves your device.

Worked example

Chris is a self-employed gardener whose assessment period starts on the 31st. Because February and some other months are shorter, the start date slips back to the last day of those months.

Assessment period	Report window
31 Jan 2027 – 27 Feb 2027	20 Feb – 13 Mar 2027
28 Feb 2027 – 30 Mar 2027	23 Mar – 13 Apr 2027
31 Mar 2027 – 29 Apr 2027	22 Apr – 13 May 2027

In February 2027 there is no 31st, so that period starts on 28 February instead and the January period ends a few days early, on 27 February. Chris reports the money received and spent in each period from 7 days before it ends until 14 days after — and the sooner he reports, the sooner the payment can be worked out.

How it works, in plain English

Universal Credit runs on monthly assessment periods. Each one starts on the same day of the month as your claim and ends the day before that date in the following month. What you earned in a period affects the payment made for it.

What to report

Self-employed claimants report their actual business receipts and expenses for the period, on a cash basis: money that came in and went out during those dates, not invoices raised or owed. You also report any tax and National Insurance you paid in that period. Universal Credit then works out your earnings for the month.

The reporting window

The calculator shows a window from 7 days before your period ends to 14 days after. Reporting early in the window means your payment can be calculated on time; leaving it late can delay or reduce a payment, so check your journal for the exact to-do date you are given. Payment usually arrives about 7 days after the period ends.

Start days of 29, 30 and 31

If your period starts on the 29th, 30th or 31st, it starts on the last day of the month in any month that does not have that date. For a start day of the 31st, that means 30 April, 30 June and 28 February (29 February in a leap year). The period before then ends one day earlier, so some periods are a few days shorter or longer than usual.

The minimum income floor

After any start-up period, Universal Credit may assume you earn at least a set amount each month (the minimum income floor) even if your real earnings are lower. That affects how much you get, but you still need to report your real figures every month.

Frequently asked questions

When do I report self-employed earnings for Universal Credit?

Each month, around the end of your assessment period. This calculator shows a window from 7 days before the period ends to 14 days after. Your online journal will show a to-do for each report — follow its date if it differs.

How do I find my assessment period start date?

Look at your Universal Credit statement in your online account. It shows the dates of each assessment period; the start date is the day after the previous one ended, and usually matches the date you first claimed.

My period starts on the 31st. What happens in shorter months?

In months with fewer than 31 days, the period starts on the last day of the month instead — for example 30 April or 28 February. The calculator handles this automatically for start days of 29, 30 and 31.

Do I report money I invoiced or money I received?

Money actually received and paid out during the assessment period. An invoice that is paid next month counts in next month's report.

Does Universal Credit reporting replace my tax return?

No. The monthly UC report is separate from HMRC. You still need to file a Self Assessment tax return for the tax year if you are self-employed, and keep records that support both.

Estimates only, not tax advice. These figures are a guide based on the information you enter and the 2026/27 rules. Your own position can differ — check GOV.UK or an accountant before relying on them.

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