We are aware some of our customers have unexpectedly found their Universal Credit (UC) account has been closed on them.  

Back in January (2023), the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET) was increased meaning that more Universal Credit claimants will be moved from the ‘Light Touch’ group to the ‘Intensive Work Search’ group.

The earnings threshold determines which group a Universal Credit claimant is placed in, this in turn impacts the level of support they receive to find work and develop a career, and also the types of activities they must undertake, such as searching for opportunities to take up more or better paid work or researching new career options. 

The new AET is the equivalent of an individual working 15hrs per week, or a couple working 24hrs per week between them, at the adult National Living Wage rate. If this is not meet, then a ‘claimant commitment’ must be agreed between the work coach and claimant(s) to highlight what ‘work search activity’ they will do to increase earnings – if this isn't agreed the claim is closed, stopping ALL UC payments for the month.

If this happens to you must take action straight away and contact your work coach as quickly as possible to resolve the issue. If you act quickly your UC can be reinstated without a break, but if you delay you could lose out on benefit you are entitled to.