New rules mean that more than 180,000 people on Universal Credit will need to work more hours or risk losing their benefits.
Here’s what you need to know about these changes.
The government has changed the rules around working hours and claiming Universal Credit from Monday, 13 May 2024.
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If you’re on UC and work less than 18 hours a week, you’ll need to look for more work to keep receiving benefits.
Before these new rules, you had to work at least 15 hours a week.
The government wants people to become more independent and rely less on benefits, by getting better jobs and earning more money.
They believe it will help boost the economy, but essentially this will also reduce the money they spend on welfare support.
Who does this affect?
This change affects anyone on Universal Credit who is working less than 18 hours a week at minimum wage.
If you earn more per hour, you might not need to work the full 18 hours if you meet the earnings threshold.
However, the government has raised the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET).
From now on, if you earn less than £892 a month (or £1,437 for couples), you’ll need to look for more work.
This is roughly what you would earn working 18 hours a week at minimum wage.
This is an increase from the previous thresholds of £617 for individuals and £988 for couples.
If you’re impacted, you’ll receive a message in your Universal Credit journal.
You’ll then move to the “Intensive Work Search group” and need to:
- Meet with a work coach more often
- Make plans to increase your working hours or find a better-paying job
If you don’t follow these new rules, you could lose your benefits.
To help, there will be extra support to meet your coach, write a CV and have training and skills courses.
The government says they will consider personal situations, such as health conditions or caring responsibilities.
Make sure to discuss your circumstances with your work coach to get the right support for you.
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