Universal credit and an apprenticeship?

Hess28

Hi,

Can anyone let me know how doing an apprenticeship at £7 p/h would affect my universal credit? Would I still be required to hit the minimum earning threshold of £892? Or could I earn less as I’m doing an apprenticeship?

I am a single claimant with child and housing element. 

Thanks in advance

HillStreetBlues

Do you have LCW/LCWRA?

huckster

Once details of apprenticeship are provided to the Job Centre, they can take relevant actions, so that regular Job Centre appointments are not required. i.e. they recognise the apprenticeship hourly rate is lower than the NLW and therefore you would not earn at the AET level.

Hess28

I currently work 27 hours, single claimant with childcare and housing element.

My research suggested as long as I earn over the ATE of £892 and or working minimum 30 hours I’d be okay. 

My ‘work coach’ called and said because it would be a drop in wages from what I earn now, even though I’d still be earning over the AET, that they may sanction me and stop my UC as I’ve willingly dropped my wages? Even though it’s only for 12-18months whilst I train? 

I’m awaiting a manager call back as they said they couldn’t say if they would or wouldn’t for definite until the change went through but I tried explaining I can’t make the change if they sanction me as I wouldn’t be able to afford to do the apprenticeship?

Help please x