universal credit and working enough
On Universal Credit, it is possible to work part time and not be asked to work search for more hours. The media and even work coaches often talk of claimants needing to find work of 35 hours, 25 hours, and 16 hours. Universal Credit is well known for its strict commitments and work search.
It is true that if you are in the “all work group” you will be allocated a number of hours, depending on your circumstances. This is called your CET (Conditionality Earnings Threshold). If a claimant achieves their CET, then they are moved to the “no work group”. This means that you will have no mandatory work related requirements and you do not need to agree to do what you can to take up more paid work or be available for more paid work.
If you are in the “all work group” and not in Light Touch Regime, you will be expected to spend the required amount of hours or work search and related activities and to take up any offer of paid work up to the level of your CET.
It is true that if you are in the “all work group” you will be allocated a number of hours, depending on your circumstances. This is called your CET (Conditionality Earnings Threshold). If a claimant achieves their CET, then they are moved to the “no work group”. This means that you will have no mandatory work related requirements and you do not need to agree to do what you can to take up more paid work or be available for more paid work.
If you are in the “all work group” and not in Light Touch Regime, you will be expected to spend the required amount of hours or work search and related activities and to take up any offer of paid work up to the level of your CET.
Not everyone is in the “all work group”.
Light Touch regime only applies to people in “all work group"
You may be in the "no work group" if you are recognised as a carer to a disabled person, have been awarded LCWRA, expecting a baby within 11 weeks or had a baby in the last 3 months, primary carer to a child under 1 plus another few circumstances.
You will be in the "work focused interview group" if you are the primary carer to your children and the youngest is aged 1.
You will be in the "work prep group" if you are the primary carer to your children and the youngest is aged 2 or you have had a work capability assessment and been awarded LCW.
Light Touch regime only applies to people in “all work group"
You may be in the "no work group" if you are recognised as a carer to a disabled person, have been awarded LCWRA, expecting a baby within 11 weeks or had a baby in the last 3 months, primary carer to a child under 1 plus another few circumstances.
You will be in the "work focused interview group" if you are the primary carer to your children and the youngest is aged 1.
You will be in the "work prep group" if you are the primary carer to your children and the youngest is aged 2 or you have had a work capability assessment and been awarded LCW.
What Is “Light Touch Regime”?
If someone is in the “all work group” and earns their AET (Administrative Earnings Threshold) then they will have no mandatory work related requirements – including work search.
*please note that unearned income and self-employed earnings cannot be used towards the AET. It is strictly only earnings paid by an employer
This means that if you have earnings on your claim that meet the AET your commitments should not have any work related requirements on it. To recognise if you are already in light touch regime visit your UC homepage and click my commitments. If you are being recognised as in Light Touch Regime, your commitments will reflect the example below.
- The AET for a single person is £338 per assessment period*
- The AET for a joint claim is £541 per assessment period*
*please note that unearned income and self-employed earnings cannot be used towards the AET. It is strictly only earnings paid by an employer
This means that if you have earnings on your claim that meet the AET your commitments should not have any work related requirements on it. To recognise if you are already in light touch regime visit your UC homepage and click my commitments. If you are being recognised as in Light Touch Regime, your commitments will reflect the example below.
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You will notice it says “I’ll do everything that I can to find work or earn more”.
This is kind of an empty phrase as you cannot be mandated to work search, apply for jobs or attend interviews so it is very unlikely an opportunity for more work or earning more will come up and that the job centre would know about it.
This is kind of an empty phrase as you cannot be mandated to work search, apply for jobs or attend interviews so it is very unlikely an opportunity for more work or earning more will come up and that the job centre would know about it.
Some Examples of “Light Touch”
Single Claimants
If you are working and earning £338 per assessment period as a single claimant it will apply. This is regardless of whether you have children on your claim.
This £338 could be achieved by –
If you are working and earning £338 per assessment period as a single claimant it will apply. This is regardless of whether you have children on your claim.
This £338 could be achieved by –
- 10 hours per week at £7.83ph, paid monthly (£339.30)
- 11 hours per week at £7.83ph, paid weekly (£344.52 or £430.65)
- 4 hours per week at £20ph, paid monthly (£346.67)
Joint Claimants
Joint claimants need to earn at least £541 per assessment period for both claimants to be placed in light touch. It doesn’t matter whether this is combined earnings or earnings from only one member of the couple.
This £541 could be achieved by –
It is entirely possible for one partner to work earning £541 per assessment period and the other person to not work or work search at all.
Joint claimants need to earn at least £541 per assessment period for both claimants to be placed in light touch. It doesn’t matter whether this is combined earnings or earnings from only one member of the couple.
This £541 could be achieved by –
- One partner working 16 hours per week at £7.83ph, paid monthly (£542.88)
- One partner working 4 hours per week at £7.83ph, and the other working 12 hours per week at £7.83ph, paid monthly (542.88)
- One person working 6 hours per week at £25ph, paid weekly (£600 or £750)
It is entirely possible for one partner to work earning £541 per assessment period and the other person to not work or work search at all.
Why Does Light Touch Exist?
The government definitely do have the agenda of pushing everyone into work or earning more but Light Touch Regime was created to reflect legacy benefits. The figures of £338 and £541 actually relates to the earnings that someone would have to no longer qualify for Jobseekers Allowance and therefore not have any work related requirements.
Further Resources
