Universal Credit rule change could see thousands losing benefits

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Tougher rules surrounding new work search for those claiming Universal Credit will be enforced next week. It will be introduced thanks to a planned increase in the Administration Earning Threshold (AET) which helps determine the "work group" a claimant is placed in.

From September 26, the AET rate will go from £355 a month to £494 a month - or from £567 a month to £782 a month for joint claims.

This is the equivalent of an individual working 12 hours a week, or a couple working 19 hours a week between them, according to the government.

If a claimant's income is above the AET rates, they will be placed in the "light touch" work group, meaning they will not be required to look for work and will have less contact with the JobCentre, the Mirror reports. Read more: Shopper raves over £50 Amazon heater that costs less than 10p an hour to run However, if a claimant earns less than these amounts, they will be placed in the "intensive work search" group, meaning they may be pressured into finding work or taking on more hours at their current job in order to keep their Universal Credit.