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 on Monday.
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 government was also “radically expanding” the support available to help people “on their journey off benefits”, said Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride.
But the charity Turn2Us urged the government to reconsider the policy, which it said could have a “drastic impact” on people with long-term health conditions, caring responsibilities or with irregular incomes.
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 Monday 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.
Same Difference 