Read more about claimant groups Your claimant commitment will vary depending on which of four groups you are placed in. Your circumstances will determine which group applies to you. No work-related requirements People in this group are exempt from having to take any steps to look for work. This group includes the parent who has the main responsibility for a child aged under one, severely disabled people and many full-time carers for disabled people. Work-focused interview only People in this group are not expected to look for work but they are asked to attend periodic interviews to find out about employment and training opportunities in their area. (Note: This requirement has been suspended during the COVID-19 outbreak.) This group includes the parent who has the main responsibility for a child aged under one or two and some foster parents. Work preparation People in this group are not expected to look for work but they are expected to take steps to help prepare them for moving into work. For instance, to take part in training courses or undertake work experience. It includes people with less severe disabilities and the parent who has the main responsibility for a child aged three or four. All work-related requirements People in this group are deemed fit and ready for work and are expected to actively look for work. Remember, to get Universal Credit you may have to meet certain conditions as stated in your claimant commitment. If you fail to meet these conditions then your benefit payments are likely to be ‘sanctioned’ (cut for a period). If you’re not sure about what conditions should apply to you, seek urgent advice from our freephone helpline or an independent adviser in your area. You should also seek urgent advice if you have been sanctioned.
Read more about claimant groups Your claimant commitment will vary depending on which of four groups you are placed in. Your circumstances will determine which group applies to you. No work-related requirements People in this group are exempt from having to take any steps to look for work. This group includes the parent who has the main responsibility for a child aged under one, severely disabled people and many full-time carers for disabled people. Work-focused interview only People in this group are not expected to look for work but they are asked to attend periodic interviews to find out about employment and training opportunities in their area. (Note: This requirement has been suspended during the COVID-19 outbreak.) This group includes the parent who has the main responsibility for a child aged under one or two and some foster parents. Work preparation People in this group are not expected to look for work but they are expected to take steps to help prepare them for moving into work. For instance, to take part in training courses or undertake work experience. It includes people with less severe disabilities and the parent who has the main responsibility for a child aged three or four. All work-related requirements People in this group are deemed fit and ready for work and are expected to actively look for work. Remember, to get Universal Credit you may have to meet certain conditions as stated in your claimant commitment. If you fail to meet these conditions then your benefit payments are likely to be ‘sanctioned’ (cut for a period). If you’re not sure about what conditions should apply to you, seek urgent advice from our freephone helpline or an independent adviser in your area. You should also seek urgent advice if you have been sanctioned.
Other extra amounts you might receive Child elements You get an extra amount known as a child element for each dependent child in your family. This may be paid at a higher rate for your eldest child. If you are getting Universal Credit and you have a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017, you will not receive a child element for that child. There are some exceptions to this ‘two child policy’. Carer element This is paid if you are eligible for Carer’s Allowance, or if the only thing that stops you from qualifying for Carer’s Allowance is that your earnings are too high. You do not actually have to have claimed Carer’s Allowance – it is sufficient that you meet the normal Carer’s Allowance rules, other than the earnings limit. If you think you may be eligible for a carer element, inform the DWP via your online Universal Credit account. Where you and your partner care for different people you may be able to get two carer elements. If the person you look after lives independently then you getting a carer element could affect their benefits. Seek further advice from our helpline. Limited capability for work elements If because of health problems you or a partner are not only unfit to work but also unfit to undertake any work-related activity, you can receive an extra element known as the limited capability for work and work-related activity element. The same person cannot qualify for both a limited capability for work and work-related activity element and a carer element at the same time. If this applies to you, you will only get the higher of the two amounts. Childcare element If you are working and pay for registered childcare costs it is possible to receive an extra allowance covering 85 per cent of your childcare costs. To qualify you (and your partner if you have one) must normally work. Any number of hours work will do. You may also qualify if you work and your partner is unable to provide childcare, either because they are incapable of work, or because they provide regular and substantial care to a disabled person (and they are eligible for Carer’s Allowance). 85% of your childcare costs are met up to a maximum of £646.35 per month for one child and £1,108.04 for two or more children. Housing element Includes help towards rent and some service charges. Out-of-work claimants with a mortgage can also get help towards the interest on their mortgage (or other loans secured on their property) after a waiting period. However this help with your mortgage is treated as a loan that must be repaid to the DWP when your property is eventually sold or transferred. Owner-occupiers who work cannot get help with their mortgage but may qualify for a more generous work allowance instead.
Other extra amounts you might receive Child elements You get an extra amount known as a child element for each dependent child in your family. This may be paid at a higher rate for your eldest child. If you are getting Universal Credit and you have a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017, you will not receive a child element for that child. There are some exceptions to this ‘two child policy’. Carer element This is paid if you are eligible for Carer’s Allowance, or if the only thing that stops you from qualifying for Carer’s Allowance is that your earnings are too high. You do not actually have to have claimed Carer’s Allowance – it is sufficient that you meet the normal Carer’s Allowance rules, other than the earnings limit. If you think you may be eligible for a carer element, inform the DWP via your online Universal Credit account. Where you and your partner care for different people you may be able to get two carer elements. If the person you look after lives independently then you getting a carer element could affect their benefits. Seek further advice from our helpline. Limited capability for work elements If because of health problems you or a partner are not only unfit to work but also unfit to undertake any work-related activity, you can receive an extra element known as the limited capability for work and work-related activity element. The same person cannot qualify for both a limited capability for work and work-related activity element and a carer element at the same time. If this applies to you, you will only get the higher of the two amounts. Childcare element If you are working and pay for registered childcare costs it is possible to receive an extra allowance covering 85 per cent of your childcare costs. To qualify you (and your partner if you have one) must normally work. Any number of hours work will do. You may also qualify if you work and your partner is unable to provide childcare, either because they are incapable of work, or because they provide regular and substantial care to a disabled person (and they are eligible for Carer’s Allowance). 85% of your childcare costs are met up to a maximum of £646.35 per month for one child and £1,108.04 for two or more children. Housing element Includes help towards rent and some service charges. Out-of-work claimants with a mortgage can also get help towards the interest on their mortgage (or other loans secured on their property) after a waiting period. However this help with your mortgage is treated as a loan that must be repaid to the DWP when your property is eventually sold or transferred. Owner-occupiers who work cannot get help with their mortgage but may qualify for a more generous work allowance instead.
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