Universal Credit and below threshold

[Redruby2020]

I just wondered if anyone is experiencing the same or has more info.
So UC told me if I earn below £800 something a month I still need to have appointments, because they expect you to be actively trying to change that.
And I think there can be consequences if you don't.
Now I know you don't know everyone's situations, but it is quite clear from those I know of, that they have been working 16-20 hrs a week, not in jobs that would pay above that, especially with those hours.
And yes they have still had contact with UC, but they clearly aren't having to do more, if they have been asked they haven't done it.
And they are still on UC.

I did not know that you couldn't stick with something part time and that was that.
Because I was told a while back they brought in the thing where you can earn a certain amount before being deducted, to make work worthwhile and as an incentive to get people in to work.

Thankyou for reading.
I look forward to hearing peoples experiences with this.

Not really sure what you're asking here, but you've been informed correctly by UC - you are expected to look for more hours if you're earning below the threshold of £892 per month.
That's the equivalent of 18 hrs per week at minimum wage.

There are exceptions for people who are ill or disabled and for people with children under 3 and for people caring for someone who is ill or disabled

The £892 is the figure set as the Administrative Earnings Threshold above which you're on a 'light' touch regime rather than interviews like the OP.

It's been increased significantly in the last few years and the way it applies to couples has changed so they're more likely to both have to work.

As well as the specific exceptions above there are easements for other things like children over 3 and sub teen and nursery school run rimes.

Rather than go through multiple questions could the OP explain their specific issue?

Hi thanks for responding.
I don't want it to see like I am just saying 'oh she doesn't have to do more, why should I'
But UC have said you would be expected to show you are looking to up pay/hours, if you was below that figure or part time et .

So how comes there are all these people I know of, who are swanning along quite happily doing 15/16-20 hrs a week, they haven't increased anything.
And it's been a long time think a couple of years.
They haven't been sanctioned or had their claim closed.

So why did they say that to me, it seems unfair.

They only need to be doing 18 hours at minimum wage though. They could be doing the 16 hours at slightly higher than minimum wage and meet the threshold

As long as you're earning over the threshold they don't 'bother' you. Like others have said, they may well be paid more than NMW - plenty of jobs do that may seem like they'd only pay min wage, not by loads but it's only a pound or two an hour extra you'd need to make on 16 hours a week to hit the threshold.

The threshold is equivalent to 18h minimum wage, so a far amount of the 16-20h will either be working 18+ or for slightly over minimum wage. Others may have young children, care commitments or disabilities you aren't aware off.

No we have kids the same age. Can't be disabilities because then you would not be working if they found you have limited capability.
Yes some jobs might pay more than you think, but their jobs are not paying £892 a month or over no way.
And they have not been pushed.
One lady just told them she can't do any more hours in the job she has and that's that.

If they’re doing 16 hours a week it can’t be that much below though.

A lot depends on your work coach. If she’s working 16 hours a week, it only needs to be slightly more than
minimum wage and she’ll make enough to clear the AET. If she’s definitely on minimum wage, her work coach may be understanding and have her just do a fortnightly call to talk about finding more work or asking for more hours… some have some common sense, and there’s no way to force an employer to offer more hours.

Some work coaches will be the opposite and will put a lot of pressure on to meet the AET, expect weekly meetings in the job centre, etc.

Work coaches have the discretion to relax commitments for all sorts of reasons that you may not be privy to.

Oh good hopefully they can do the same for me then! Because there are reasons they should and they know some of those.

That.

Exactly.

The rules under tax credits were different and based on hours; too many sweet spots and cliff edges. A reasonable Job Coach will use discretion there.