WELFARE SYSTEM REFORMS – Universal credit claimants must seek 18 hours work
People claiming universal credit and working fewer than 18 hours a week will be expected to look for more work, after a change to the welfare system that starts today. Before now, claimants only had to work 15 hours.
The new rule is part of broader reforms to the welfare system that the government announced last month.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the rule change meant 180,000 people would have to work more.
The 18 hours a week – which is around half a full-time working week – applies to people earning the minimum wage. Someone earning more per hour can work fewer hours, as long as their total earnings meet the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) set by the government.
From today the AET will be £892, which is what you would earn in a month if you worked for 18 hours a week at the minimum wage. If a claimant is earning less than the threshold they will be asked to look for more, or better paid, work. If a couple is earning less than £1,437 between them, they will be expected to try to increase their earnings.
Claimants who earn less than the threshold will be given more “intensive” Jobcentre support, the DWP said, including more frequent meetings with a work coach. If someone does not engage with the process, or take work that is available, they could lose some of their benefits.