Universal Credit "Support"

KCJA1989

Hi all,

Little background to our situation. My wife and I both currently work part time, our shifts alternate to accommodate our children and living situation. We are, therefore, well into the "light touch" group.

I have received the following message on my journal:


"Hi XXXX

Would you like support to earn more or progress in work?

We can help you:

- with things that stop you working or earning more, like childcare, housing or disability

- find training to improve your earnings or change jobs

- change career

This support is optional. It will not affect your Universal Credit.

To find out more, reply to this message in your journal with details of when you are available. Our specialist work coach will arrange a phone appointment to answer your questions."


Now, with a quick look through the message, I can see that some of it is irrelevant to me - neither of us is disabled, our housing situation is not an issue and we don't want help with childcare (we have been hit with the 85% of fees paid a number of times, we don't want to work more hours to have our children minded elsewhere).

I can't imagine there is any training they can offer to improve my earnings or position within my current job (retail).

That leaves training to change jobs and/or career. Although I have no immediate intentions to leave my job, I believe such training could be beneficial for me. I have worked in retail (having fell into it when nothing else was available) for the last ten years and, while it has always been a steady income for the family, I wouldn't have qualms about possibly changing this in the future. For example, I had previously worked in offices, retraining with regards to that field would be helpful, or indeed any training towards a different career altogether. 

The problem being, I am always heavily skeptical when it comes to Universal Credit. Is this support genuinely optional, or would it become less optional once involved? For example, I am given training for a specific job criteria, would they be on my back to push for a certain job if it became available? If I accept the help, will I be strong armed into another position with more hours or higher earnings, that wouldn't necessarily work for our family? I just want the decision to still be my own.

We are currently in the "light touch" group and, as such, are left alone most of the time, I wouldn't want that to change due to accepting their "support". Call me cynical, but I've just heard so many nightmare stories.

Thanks.

tomtom256

It's a trial at present, but as the AET changes role out, it will become mandatory as more people will move into the intensive regime.

It's called in work progression.

KCJA1989

Thanks for the reply.

What exactly will become mandatory? Training courses, job changes, job center meetings? 

kaMelo

Read this thread, significant changes were announced in the budget regarding the AET.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6432949/universal-credit-couples-aet-and-household-cet/p1

huckster

What this about, is there is a shortage of workers and Government needs those on Universal Credit to work more than they are at the moment.

So yes, once the Government increases the minimum number of hours they expect from Universal Credit claimants, those affected will be attending regular Job Centre appointments. And if they don't attend the appointments, benefit payments can be subject to sanctions.

So the in work progression voluntary appointments are just part of the warm up.

KCJA1989

Thanks for the replies.


@kaMelo: Thanks for the link. I've had a read through the thread, and, while very interesting, nothing seems to have been decided and is a lot of hypothetical - doesn't pertain to my current dilemma. 

@huckster: Similarly, with the lack of detail currently, a lot is guess work. Thanks anyway. 

The whole situation seems vague. On my understanding, with both of us working above the proposed AET of 18hr/pw at NMW (I think that's right), my wife and I both work in excess of that - I would assume we would be okay? Difficult to interpret.

Regardless, my issue, as originally asked, is whether or not to engage with the work coaches in regard to their "support". I'm not so paranoid as to think they're trying to "trick" me, just don't want to accept the supposed support only to then be taken down another path and be pushed towards something I don't want! I do believe that some training and/or retraining would be beneficial to me if/when I decide to change career/job.

Thanks for the advice.