Changes to in-work conditionality took effect in September 2023, requiring people earning the equivalent of over 15 hours per week at the National Living Wage, but less than full time hours, to look for more work or better paid work1. The change was set out in Turn2us's benefits changes timetable for 2023, which lists it under that month1.
The same timetable records other changes to earnings rules and conditionality. In January 2023 the Administrative Earnings Threshold rose to £617 per month for single people and £988 per month for couples1. In spring 2023, changes were made to the rules for Support for Mortgage Interest, with the waiting period reduced from 9 months to 3 months, alongside changes to zero earnings rules1.
"Changes to in-work conditionality to require people earning the equivalent of over 15 hours per week at National Living Wage, but less than full time hours to look for more work or better paid work."
Other measures in the timetable for 2023 and 2024 include the Department for Work and Pensions' intention to move all tax credits only claimants onto Universal Credit during 2023/20241. Extra cost of living payments were listed as £900 for people on means-tested benefits, £300 for people over pension age and £150 for people who get disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance1. In April 2023, most benefits and the state pension were uprated by 10.1%, and the benefit cap was uprated by 10.1%1.
Devolved changes were also listed. Scotland was to start making payments of the new Low Income Winter Heating Assistance benefit in February 20231. The Scottish Government intended to have transferred all recipients of child Disability Living Allowance to Scottish Child Disability Payment by spring 20231. Scottish Carers Assistance was to begin in late 2023 and be fully rolled out in spring 20241.
| Measure | Date given |
|---|---|
| Administrative Earnings Threshold: £617 per month (single), £988 per month (couples) | January 20231 |
| Support for Mortgage Interest: waiting period cut from 9 months to 3 months | Spring 20231 |
| Benefits and state pension uprated 10.1%; benefit cap uprated 10.1% | April 20231 |
| In-work conditionality: over 15 hours per week at National Living Wage but below full time hours | September 20231 |
Why it matters for households
The September 2023 change affects people who are in work and claiming benefits while earning above the equivalent of 15 hours a week at the National Living Wage but less than full time hours. For that group, the requirement to look for more work or better paid work applies, which means work-related requirements and the claimant commitment attached to a claim can include job search activity even though the person is already employed. The rules interact with the earnings rules and hours that determine how pay affects a claim.
The January 2023 threshold rise set the monthly earnings level at which those requirements begin: £617 for single people and £988 for couples1. The April 2023 uprating raised most benefits and the state pension by 10.1%, and raised the benefit cap by the same figure1. The cost of living payments listed for the period were £900 for people on means-tested benefits, £300 for people over pension age and £150 for people receiving disability benefits1; these are recorded in the cost of living payments guide.
What happens next
The timetable states that the DWP intends to move all tax credits only claimants onto Universal Credit during 2023/20241. Scottish Carers Assistance was to begin in late 2023 and be fully rolled out in spring 20241. No further dates for the in-work conditionality rules beyond September 2023 are given in the timetable1.
Sources1 cited
- Benefits changes timetable for 2023 | Turn2us turn2us.org.uk
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