Benefits help needed, AET rise

[MatildasRevenge]

Posting here for traffic.

I'm in a bit of a panic. I had somehow missed the next Average Earnings Threshold rise on May 15th, I just came across it on another thread. Can anyone help?

My partner and I claim Universal Credit. I am a TA, working 37 hours a week term time only. Earnings threshold is rising to £1437 pm (or 29 hours minimum wage). I earn £1426 pm, once averaged across the year. My partner is in the LCWRA group due to a mix of mental and physical issues.

Until now, I earned enough in my job for it not to come up, so I don't have a bloody clue. Now I will earn £11 pm not enough. When one of a couple is unfit for work or work related activity, does the other need to meet the couple threshold alone?

I really need a term time job. DS is autistic and has aged out of child care. DP needs quite a bit of support himself and definitely can't cope with my DC alone through the school holidays. But, if I have to meet the full couple requirement alone (single person claim has an 18 hour requirement I think?) then I don't think I can afford to. I don't know what to do and I am very stressed. I can't seem to find this out anywhere, so if it's obvious and easy to find out, please don't be horrible because I just can't think straight for the worry already.

Anyone now it's day time?

I need to leave for work soon, but I will check later, just in case anyone does know

I didn't want to leave you with no replies.

I found this on the turn to us website Turn to us - buried part way down it says that if one person in a couple is unable to work then the calculation is based on the threshold for a single person. Does this help at all?

This page gives info
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-earnings

However as you already work FT it would depend on your partner's official situation.

You need detailed advice I think.

If that's right, it would solve everything! I just can't seem to find anything conclusive, anywhere.

Thank you very much!

Thank you also. It is really kind of you. I'd better try to find a way to speak to CAB I think. It just seems like a non unique situation really, but it does seem like it will need specific advice rather than MN and Google solving all this time...

You only need to meet the single rate of £892. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/dwp-universal-credit-changes-may-29050901.amp

If your partner is in the LCWRA group, would you be eligible for the carers element of UC?

As far as I'm aware, if you're a carer you have no work requirements so the AET wouldn't apply

See, this is what I'm praying for, I just can't see anything that confirms I would definitely be assessed with the requirements of a single claimant and only needing to hit that income floor.

My worry is that we will be assessed as needing to earn 29 x minimum wage, but that I will be expected to earn all of it as DP is not fit for anything to do with work (and assessed as such by UC). If I'm assessed against the single person rate of 18 x MW, then we're fine, as I earn well above that.

I will look in to this now! Thank you!

@MatildasRevenge

Hi there

Ive just been googling this very thing as will soon be in a similar situation and getting different answers. Would you please be able to let me know if it’s panned out as it seems it should have and you haven’t been affected as they’re using the single AET for your claim?

From the links helpful people have posted it looks like all should be well for you (and hopefully me soon!) but it’s the DWP so who knows what they’ve actually done!

Thanks!