New rules affecting Universal Credit claimants have come into effect this week and it is estimated that some 120,000 people will be impacted. Those claiming the benefit payments will now see increased pressure to find work and even a rise in the number of hours they are needed to work.
The Administrative Earnings Threshold, or the minimum wage level for people on Universal Credit, is being raised to the equivalent of 15 hours' pay on the National Living Wage Nottinghamshire Live reports, making it £617 for single people and £988 for couples. This means Universal Credit claimants could see their benefits cut.
In a statement, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: "The Department has been preparing to raise the Administrative Earning Threshold (AET) for several months as bringing more claimants into scope for intensive support will help more low-earning households to increase their incomes at a time of cost of living pressures.”
