How many jobs per week am I expected to apply for on universal credit

[jisak]

My youngest has turned 3 so I am now looking for work. It's my first meeting tomorrow to check im doing my commitments.

I can only work 10 hours per week. I've applied for 15 jobs so far

How many should I be applying for?

It is hard to find many 10 hour jobs in my local area and within school hours. I can also only travel 20 mins agreed with my work coach

I'm so scared I get sanctioned

Are you not just meant to use those hours you should be working looking for work rather than a set number.

My understanding is you need to be looking for work or preparing for work (online courses etc) for 30+ hours per week.

They will be expecting you to work more than 10 hours per week as well.

You just have to show you have done something. Don't worry.

Why are you only able to work 10 hours a week within a radius of a a 20 minute drive?

I'm wondering the same. Do you have a disability or care for someone else?

I thought you had to work a minimum of 16 hours?

Why only 10 hours a week?

Please try not to worry too much. I’m three weeks in and my work coach has been really friendly and supportive. My first meeting with him was really just an introduction and him telling me ways the job centre will support me. There were no expectations that I’d have already applied for any jobs, or even have my CV ready.

I was really nervous too, but it’s all been very positive so far.

What benefits do you get now and when will they stop? How are they linked to the jobs you apply for?

Oh, sorry, I see this is your first meeting regarding work commitments. Mine was fine. I’d applied for one job and it really was just a friendly catch up.

I don't know where it is, otherwise I would take a photo. I was given an example time table of what 35 hours of job hunting looked like.
It is more about the overall effort and activities, rather than the amount of jobs you are applying for. Things like updating your CV, attending job fairs, researching roles etc all count.

@JenniferAnistonForReals sorry my first meeting about my commitments as in apply for work. I've done my introduction and group meeting

@Starzinsky my youngest nursery placement is only 3 hours. When he goes to school I have to work more hours. It was my work coach that said I could only do 10 hours and only travel 20 mins given nursery and school times etc.

Totally my fault for mis-reading your post ☺️ I hope it all goes well, it sounds like you’re doing everything you can. 15 jobs is a lot! Fingers crossed you find something perfect soon and try not to worry too much in the meantime (easy for me to say, I know!)

Universal credits doesn’t work like tax credits did. You have to take home £743 a month otherwise the benefit cap applies. My SIL found that out this month when her work closed for a week over Christmas and she lost £100 in wages so got £0 in universal credit after most of her rent was paid.

You have quite a lenient work coach. You have to reach the AET of 892 per month - this will go up in April when the NMW rises.
It is not about quantity of jobs applied for - it’s about quality of applications. You can spend time doing courses and voluntary work, researching childcare options. All count towards work prep activities.

Won’t the benefit cat apply if you don’t earn the minimum amount? I don’t think it’s about how many jobs you apply for

This. I thought if a child was over 3 the parents had to work 16 hours a week or spend that time searching for work and document your efforts.

Sorry I’m quite out of touch with it, but don’t 3 year olds qualify for 30 hours, so the expectation is that you spend that long looking for work? I’m not saying that’s right. I just thought they were quite strict these days.

When mine were little you weren’t expected to look for work if you had a child under 12 I think! Seems crazy now.

Why can’t you work full time and use a nursery, child minder, breakfast and after school clubs?

You'll qualify for more free hourly 85% of hours you pay for so you can work more that 10 hours a week. Keep an open mind and see what's out there applying for work that you want to do, they won't be too draconian as long as you are properly researching and applying for jobs (remember looking into childcare also counts)

@Parker231 breakfast club, nursery and nanny for a 3 year old?

Why not do what the rest of the population does - use childcare. If you are on a low wage, you will get 85% of the childcare bill covered by UC. Do you actually want to work and better your financial situation? Most women are back full time by 12 months. does your child have a disability which means he cannot cope longer in a setting? Are you getting DLA and carers allowance? On carers allowance, there is no work commitment.