UC when 1 person working

superM

Hi,

We have a joint claim on Tax credits. I am working full time and my other half is a housewife. We have 2 children's. We are in receipt of CTC.

The guidance I have seen on gov.uk states if both claimants are unemployed then they will have to look for work. However it doesn't say anything about if 1 person is working and other is a houseperson.

What will happen in that scenario?

Thanks
MS

konark

You're not currently claiming UC, and the way things are going it may be 5 years before you're moved over.


If you were on UC it would depend how much you earned as UC is only a punishment for the poor. If you were on minimum wage (or similar) then your wife would be asked to look for a job, albeit on the 'light touch' regime. If you earned £40,000 a year they wouldn.t bother her.

calcotti

My understanding is that if two people are both fit and able and have no other responsibilities they are expected to work for, or look for work, for 35 hours a week.

However if the household earnings are above the 'Administrative Earnings Threshold" (who makes these phrases up?) then no work search requirements can be imposed.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/681688/adm6-18.pdf

"From 19.02.15,the work search requirement and work availability requirement must not be imposed where
1. the claimant has weekly earnings that are equal to, or more than, £5 plus the applicable amount of the JSA personal allowance for a single person aged 25 or over or
2. the claimant is a member of a couple whose combined weekly earnings are equal to, or more than, £10 plus the applicable amount of the JSA personal allowance for a couple where both members are aged 18 or over.
The reference amount applicable to a claimant or joint claimants is referred to as the “Administrative Earnings Threshold”.
Note: The weekly earnings in 1. and 2. only include earnings that are employed earnings."

Note this limitation only applies to the work search requirement, all other work related activities still apply.

To avoid having any work related requirements monthly household income for a couple would have to be equivalent to 2 x 35 hours x NMW*52/12 (£2,375.10) - the 'Conditionality Earnings Threshold'. It doesn't matter how this is achieved - it could be one person working just a few hours at a high hourly rate.

superM

Thanks for replying back.

I earn 25k pa so based on above it looks she will have to look for work. I wouldn't have thought anyone earning 40k will be eligible for UC unless they have a few children's born before April 2017.

pmlindyloo

superM wrote: »

Thanks for replying back.

I earn 25k pa so based on above it looks she will have to look for work. I wouldn't have thought anyone earning 40k will be eligible for UC unless they have a few children's born before April 2017.

How old are your children?

Tigsteroonie

superM wrote: »

I wouldn't have thought anyone earning 40k will be eligible for UC unless they have a few children's born before April 2017.

Possibly could if those children are disabled so they claim the CTC disability premiums ....

pmlindyloo

This is an overview of what would be expected for those with children:


http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2017-0556/136_Work_related_requirements_for_claimants_with_children_V1.0.pdf

Link doesn't seem to be working.

Try this one and scroll down to nearly the bottom for ;work related requirements for claimants with children.

https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/universal-credit-full-service-guidance

calcotti

pmlindyloo wrote: »

http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2017-0556/136_Work_related_requirements_for_claimants_with_children_V1.0.pdf

Link doesn't seem to be working.

There seems to be a common error when copying links. The reason the link doesn't work is that the paste has inserted a space between the c and h in children - and it seems to be impossible to edit it out!!

Ineededaname

As things curently stand your partner would be in the light touch group, would not have a work coach and would not have to attend the Jobcentre. As long as you earn above the administrative earnings threshold for a couple of £541 per month.

calcotti

Ineededaname wrote: »

As things curently stand your partner would be in the light touch group, would not have a work coach and would not have to attend the Jobcentre. As long as you earn above the administrative earnings threshold for a couple of £541 per month.

How did you arrive at £541. I make it £507.68.
JSA couple allowance £114.85
£114.85 x 52/12 = £497.68
plus £10 = £507.68

Ineededaname

The AET on univetsal credit is a set amount of £338 for a single person and £541 for a couple.