Universal credit and working part time

[CookieDoughKid]

Asking on behalf of a friend. Hopefully there are some experts out there that can answer as the Universal Credit Helpline wasn't able to provide an answer. Is it possible to claim universal credit and choose to work part time? What if you study at college half day a week for English Language classes? How does it affect credit entitlement?

It depends on your circumstances. My dd works part time and also studies on a non accredited course part time (the non accredited bit is important) but a lot depends on your rate of pay.

Your friend will have a claimant commitment For my daughter she has to either be available for work/seek work for 35 hours per week OR earn at least the national minimum wage for her age x 35 hours. Because my daughter's rate of pay is more than NMW she fulfils her claimant commitment on 24 hours per week allowing her to attend college.

The claimant commitment depends on things like whether you have children/are disabled etc etc.

Ok I understand. Also it's the claimant commitment that is crucial here. Thanks so much for your response! Viv