New rules are set to come into place for those claiming Universal Credit from next week.
The changes will affect approximately 114,000 people as they are moved from the “light touch” work group to “intensive work search”. It means more people will be pressured into finding work or taking on more hours in their existing jobs, in order to keep their Universal Credit benefit.
The Administration Earnings Threshold (AET) determines the “work group” you’re placed in. The AET rate will soon be increasing from £355 a month to £494 a month, or from £567 a month to £782 a month for joint claims, from September 26.
READ MORE: DWP Universal Credit will give four groups of claimants cash boost from this week
The government said the changes are the equivalent of an individual working 12 hours per week, or a couple working 19 hours per week between them. If your income is above the AET rates, you will be in the "light touch" work group, reports The Mirror.
Being in the "light touch" group means you’re not required to look for work as it stands, and you have less direct contact with the JobCentre. But if you earn below these amounts, you will be in the "intensive work search" group.
If you are in this group, you will be given a number of hours you are expected to take part in work search activities each week. How many hours you are required to spend looking for work depends on your circumstances, including childcare commitments and any health conditions.
You can check your claimant commitment to see how many hours you are expected to look for work. Any mandatory commitments that you fail to take part in - without good reason - could lead to a sanction and your benefits being stopped.
Those affected by the change will be contacted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey said the new approach will "help claimants get quickly back into the world of work while helping ensure employers get the people they and the economy needs".
She added: "Helping people get any job now, means they can get a better job and progress into a career. Way to Work is a step change in our offer to claimants and employers, making sure our JobCentre network and excellent work coaches can deliver opportunities, jobs and prosperity to all areas of the country."
Some of the work activities that you might be asked to take part in include:
- Carrying out work searches
- Making applications
- Creating and maintaining an online history
- Registering with an employment agency
- Creating and maintaining job profiles – however, you must not be mandated to use particular internet or social media sites (this must be entirely voluntary)
- Seeking references
- Any other actions which reasonably increase the likelihood of obtaining employment
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