Main carers of children aged between 3 and 12 who claim Universal Credit lost the ability to ask for lower expected work hours from October 2023, according to the benefits information site Entitledto1.
Before that date, main carers of 3 and 4-year-olds could ask for reasonable adjustments to their claimant commitment, including the expected number of work hours, which were 16 hours a week. Main carers of 5 to 12-year-olds could ask for an expected 25 hours a week1.
The current expectation for this group is that the carer works a maximum of 30 hours a week, or spends 30 hours a week looking for work1. The type of work looked for, and the time spent looking for it, can fit around the child's normal school hours, including the time taken to get the child to and from school, and the cost and availability of childcare is considered when looking at the work a person can do1.
"Prior to October 2023 this group had been able to ask for reasonable adjustments to their claimant commitment, including to the expected number of work hours, which were 16 hours a week for main carers of 3 and 4-year-olds and 25 hours a week for main carers of 5 to 12-year-olds."
Work-related requirements in Universal Credit are set by the age of the youngest child and change as that child gets older1. The published expectations are:
| Age of youngest child | What is expected |
|---|---|
| Under 1 | Not expected to look for work1 |
| 1 | Not expected to look for work, but expected to plan for a return to work, for example through work focused interviews1 |
| 2 | Expected to take active steps to prepare for work, for example regular interviews about plans to return to work or increase earnings1 |
| 3 to 12 | Expected to work a maximum of 30 hours a week, or spend 30 hours a week looking for work1 |
| 13 or over | Normally expected to look for and be available for full time work, 35 hours a week1 |
For those with a youngest child aged 13 or over, the source adds that a person is usually expected to look for any suitable work paying at least the relevant national minimum wage, and any work within 90 minutes of home, though an adviser may adjust hours of availability and work-related requirements to take account of caring responsibilities1.
Why it matters for households
The change affects main carers of children aged 3 to 12 in a Universal Credit claim who previously had their expected hours of work or job search set at 16 or 25 hours a week. From October 2023 those lower figures no longer apply, and the expectation recorded on the claimant commitment is up to 30 hours a week of work or job search1. Because the requirement is tied to the age of the youngest child, a household's expected hours can rise as a child passes each age threshold, and the source notes that the requirements change as the child gets older1.
Only one adult in a couple can be named as the responsible carer for all dependent children and qualifying young persons in the claim1. The responsible carer can only be changed once in any 12 month rolling period starting from the date of the latest change, though a decision maker can consider changing it more than once in some circumstances, and Universal Credit must be contacted to make a change1. Responsible foster parents of a child aged between 1 and 16, or a qualifying young person with exceptional needs, are expected to take part in interviews about returning to work when circumstances allow1.
What happens next
The source states that the adjustments ended prior to October 2023 and advises discussing the change with a work coach if affected1. No further dates for this change have been reported.
Sources1 cited
- Your dependent childs age - Entitledto entitledto.co.uk
Turn2usFree benefits calculator and grants search from a charity
Citizens AdviceFree advice on money, consumer and legal problems in England and Wales
GOV.UKOfficial information on tax, benefits and government services
MoneyHelperFree, impartial money and pensions guidance, set up by government