Some of our residents have done paintings for display at our AGM. It turns out some of our supporters/donors/interested parties have offered to buy some of these from the residents (not sure of the likely value of the payments at this stage). These would be one-off payments to individuals.

I am concerned that this could have an effect on the residents' entitlement to HB and/or other benefits (the majority of our residents are on IS/JSA/Incap).

Does anyone have an opinion as to:
1. whether this income should be declared to HB/DWP
2. how the income should be treated (charitable donation / earnings / capital?)
3. the likely effect of this income on their various benefits.

Thanks all!

Would have thought payments for paintings would not be income at all. It should be capital and subject to capital rules. Unless your residents are particularly good artists cannot see much likelyhood of it affecting capital rules of benefits.

Thanks for that.
Does anyone know what would happen if one of the residents started selling paintings on a regular basis? For instance, would it become classed as an income rather than capital if they were selling a painting per week/month?
Ta

Earnings are defined as remuneration or profit from employment, including self employment. Therefore regular payments from the sale of paintings would count as income.