What is the new 30 hour rule for Universal Credit?

You will be expected to work up to 30 hours a week, or spend up to 30 hours a week on work-related activities such as applying for jobs. You will be expected to work up to 35 hours a week, or spend up to 35 hours a week on work-related activities such as applying for jobs.

Do I have to work 30 hours a week on Universal Credit?

Your Universal Credit payment is based on your earnings, not how many hours you work – which means greater flexibility for you.

Do single parents have to work 30 hours a week?

Tailoring your claimant commitment

At your Claimant Commitment Review if you are not able to meet the 30 hours work requirement you can ask for this to be reduced. Work coaches are advised that work requirements should be tailored to an individual claimant's circumstances.

What are the minimum hours to work for UC?

For UC claimants required to work, the minimum number of hours was increased from 15 to 18, on Monday 13 May. The rule change means 180,000 people will have to work more or risk losing their benefits, the Department for Work and Pensions says.

What is the new aet for Universal Credit 2025?

From 7 April, for individual claimants, the AET is £952 per assessment period. If you're in a couple, the combined couple's AET is £1,534 per assessment period.

Universal Credit August 2025 Update | Extra Payment Boost & New Rules Explained

What are the changes to UC in April 2025?

If you receive welfare benefits such as Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Carer's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance, your payments will rise by 1.7 percent. The state pension will also be uprated by 4.1%, rising from £221.20 to £230.25.

What is the AET limit for 2025?

In 2025, this limit on your earnings is $62,160.

If you receive survivors benefits, we use your full retirement age for retirement benefits when applying the annual earnings test (AET) for retirement or survivors benefits.

What are the latest changes to Universal Credit?

The standard allowance for Universal Credit will go up more than inflation every year until 2029 / 2030. This means that single claimants who are aged 25 or over will receive £725 a year more by 2029 / 2030. The health element of Universal Credit will be cut in half and frozen for new claimants from April 2026.

How much UC will I get if I work 20 hours?

Working hours do not affect Universal Credit. Universal Credit is paid to people in or out of work, and you (or your partner) can work any number of hours and still qualify. Your Universal Credit payments will adjust to your earnings.

Do you have to go to the job centre every week for Universal Credit?

Attending appointments

You may need to attend regular appointments. These are usually in the jobcentre, but could also be by phone. If you miss an appointment, you'll need to provide a good reason for not attending.

Can Universal Credit force me to work?

You will be expected to look for work and to be available to take up a job if one is offered to you. You won't be expected to take a job that would mean working more than 30 hours per week and you won't need to spend more than 30 hours per week looking for work.

Can Universal Credit check my savings account?

The DWP can access information from various sources, including financial institutions. They won't check your bank account without reason, but they can request information to investigate: 1️. Savings and investments: If you exceed savings thresholds for certain benefits, this could affect your eligibility.

Do both parents need to work for 30 free hours?

You may be eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare if your circumstances are as follows: Both parents are earning or expect to earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at the National Living Wage or National Minimum Wage over the coming three months. If you are an apprentice you may still qualify.

How many hours do I need to work on Universal Credit single mum?

The work-related activities you will be expected to do are having regular appointments with Universal Credit and work preparation activities, such as writing your CV. You will be expected to work up to 30 hours a week, or spend up to 30 hours a week on work-related activities such as applying for jobs.

Is it worth working 16 hours a week with Universal Credit?

Universal Credit adjusts automatically if your earnings change, so taking a job will be worth your while – even if it's a temporary job or for just a few hours a week. There are no limits on the number of hours you can work, and if your job ends, it's easy to start your Universal Credit payments again.

What is the new threshold for Universal Credit 2025?

If you're already claiming Universal Credit, the grace period will start on the first day of the assessment period in which your earnings went below the earnings threshold. The threshold was £793 up to 31 March 2025 and is £846 from 1 April 2025.

What is the maximum amount you can give someone in 2025?

Individuals can give up to $19,000 to any number of people in 2025 without triggering gift tax reporting requirements. Married couples can effectively double this amount to $38,000 per recipient.

What is the working enough regime for Universal Credit?

Claimants who are working enough are expected to continue to maintain their earnings. They understand the benefits of work and are encouraged to increase their household and individual earnings over time to become independent from Universal Credit.

Will UC salary increase in 2025 2026?

Dear Campus Community, I write my final salary program letter to announce that the University of California will proceed with a 3.2% base salary increase for policy-covered staff employees and policy-covered academic employees for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

What is the new law for Universal Credit?

Changes to Universal Credit rates

The bill would increase the standard allowance above inflation over four financial years from 2026/27. By 2029/30, it would be 4.8% higher than it would have been under the normal practice of annual inflation-related increases.

How much can you earn and still get Universal Credit?

The maximum award is subject to the 'benefit cap' – for couples or lone parents this is £1,835.00 a month (£2110.25 in Greater London) and for single claimants without children £1,229.42 a month (£1,413.92 in Greater London).

How do I qualify for 30 hours?

Eligibility Criteria for 30 hours Free Childcare

both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family) each parent earns on average a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at the National Minimum wage or 16 hours at National Living Wage.

Do single parents have to work 30 hours?

The new work requirements, introduced by the Government last October, require lead carers of 3 - 12-year-olds to be available for work for up to 30 hours a week, up from 16 hours a week for parents of 3 - 4 year olds and up from 25 hours for parents of 5 – 12-year-olds.

Do you have to work if you have a child under 5 universal credit?

If you're in a couple and you claim Universal Credit you will be asked to decide which one of you is the responsible carer. If you have a child but you are not the responsible carer then you will be expected to meet all work-related requirements and look for full-time work.

What happens if you don't tell UC about savings?

If you tell the DWP late or you don't report a change, you could get paid too much. This is called an overpayment. You'll have to pay the overpayment back to the DWP and you might have to pay extra money as a penalty.