Universal Credit is a benefit claimed by thousands of people across the UK who are on a low income or are struggling to find work.
It is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is paid once a month, usually into a bank account, credit union or building society. It is a means-tested benefit, so the amount you receive depends on your personal circumstances.
However, when you claim Universal Credit, you will need to accept your claimant commitment. But what is a claimant commitment?
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What is a claimant commitment?
The claimant commitment is your record of the responsibilities that you have accepted in return for receiving Universal Credit, and the consequences of not meeting them.
Your claimant commitment will set out what you have agreed to do to prepare for and look for work, or to increase your earnings if you are already working.
It will be based on your personal circumstances and will be reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. Each time it is updated, you will need to accept a new claimant commitment to keep receiving Universal Credit.
What happens if I don't follow my claimant commitment?
Your commitments will clearly state what will happen if you fail to meet each of your responsibilities. You may receive a reduction in your benefit, known as a sanction, if you fail to meet one of your responsibilities and cannot give a good reason to explain why.
How long sanctions last depends on what you failed to do and how many times you failed to meet your responsibilities, without good reason.
Claimant commitments for different situations
If you live with a partner, you both need to claim Universal Credit. Both of you will need to accept a claimant commitment.
If you make a Universal Credit claim and have children you will need to nominate a main carer.
If you’re a single parent or the main carer, your responsibilities will change as your youngest child gets older and will be tailored to your personal circumstances.
| Age of your youngest child | Your responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Under 1 | You do not need to look for work |
| Aged 1 | You do not need to look for work. You need to have some appointments with Universal Credit to discuss plans for moving into work in the future |
| Aged 2 | You do not need to look for work. You need to have regular appointments with Universal Credit and do work preparation activities (for example, writing your CV) |
| Aged 3 or 4 | Work a maximum of 16 hours a week (or spend 16 hours a week looking for work) |
| Aged between 5 and 12 | Work a maximum of 25 hours a week (or spend 25 hours a week looking for work) |
| Aged 13 or over | Work a maximum of 35 hours a week (or spend 35 hours a week looking for work) |
Are there exceptions?
If a medical professional has said you might have less than 12 months to live, you will not need a claimant commitment.
Universal Credit changes as things change in your life. Your responsibilities in your claimant commitment will vary depending on such things as your family, your health and your potential for future earnings.
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