New Commitments

Paulacaffyn

Hi
I separated from my husband 18mths ago so it is just myself and daughter who turned 5 in January and started school in September.  

I work 20hr/wk currently earning £10,400 pa.
i received a message to log in to my UC account and accept my new commitments.
It states that I should ‘do everything I can to find work or earn more’.  I actually am already looking for work that has a few more hours (25-28) as I feel my daughter had settled enough in school to start using breakfast/after school clubs.  

My question is, what exactly is ‘earn more’?  I’ve messaged the work coach for advice but that was over a week ago now and what I don’t want to happen is that I accept a new job only to find out that I’m still not earning sufficiently.  So my question is, is there a threshold I need to ensure I surpass?  And how far away from it am I!

TIA 
Paula

NedS

The reason for the new commitments is your expected hours of work change from 16h/week to 25h/week when your youngest child turns 5, hence the change for you. So as you are currently working 20h/week, your commitment is to try to increase this to 25h/week

However, in reality UC are not going to care about you as if you are already earning over your AET threshold of £338/month (which clearly you are), you will not be required to attend appointments and they will leave you be. So just accept your new commitments and carry on as normal in your job.

calcotti

It’s a meaningless phrase. See https://www.uceplus.co.uk/light-touch-regime.html
Given your existing earnings you will be in the ‘light touch’ regime.

Paulacaffyn

Ah ok... that’s a relief.  I want to earn more ... more I earn, better off I am!  But just didn’t want them to be hassling me!!

thank you

NedS

Paulacaffyn said:

Ah ok... that’s a relief.  I want to earn more ... more I earn, better off I am!  But just didn’t want them to be hassling me!!

thank you

You're welcome. Oh, and it's not hassle, it's support. Most work coaches are nice people and are there to help and support you any way they can. You really shouldn't view the jobcentre/UC as a hostile thing - it's not