6. Your responsibilities
Universal Credit provides financial support. In return you will be expected to do certain things, depending on your circumstances.
Changes in your situation
It is your responsibility to tell the Department for Work and Pensions about any changes in your situation, as these may mean changes to the amount of Universal Credit you receive or what is expected of you. Changes can include:
- finding or finishing a job
- having or caring for a child
- a change to your address
- becoming ill
- a change in your health condition
- a change to your banking details
- your rent payments going up or down
- a partner joining or leaving the home you rent and live in
There may be other changes that are not listed here. If there are any changes in your situation talk to your work coach or contact Universal Credit to see if they will affect your payments or what you are expected to do.
These are often called changes of circumstances. For more information see Universal Credit: report a change of circumstances
Preparing or looking for work
What you are expected to do in return for receiving Universal Credit will depend on your personal circumstances. It will take into account things like caring responsibilities, or whether you are disabled or have a health condition.
With Universal Credit you usually get a work coach to help you if you are preparing for work, moving into work or looking to increase your earnings. They may continue to provide support and advice even when you start work, depending on your circumstances.
Your Claimant Commitment
In most cases what you will do will be agreed during a conversation with your work coach. What you and your work coach agree will then be written down in a Claimant Commitment. This will set out what you have agreed to do to:
- prepare for work
- look for work
- increase your earnings if you are already working
Your Claimant Commitment will be reviewed regularly, and may be changed if your circumstances change. Each time it changes you will need to agree and accept a new Claimant Commitment.
If you claim Universal Credit as a couple, both of you will need to accept an individual Claimant Commitment.
For more information see Universal Credit and your Claimant Commitment
Changes during the coronavirus outbreak
We will contact you to discuss your Claimant Commitment. In the meantime, if you are able to look for work safely while following government guidance on coronavirus, you should:
- update your CV
- consider your opportunities for returning to work
- search for jobs, for example on the government’s jobhelp website
- read about Claimant Commitments and looking for work in the coronavirus and Universal Credit guide, which you can find in your online account
- make yourself available to start work.
You do not need to attend the jobcentre unless we ask you to do so. If you need to contact us the quickest way to do this is online or by phone.
If you need to attend a jobcentre, they are open and one of our colleagues will be able to assist you. Please wear a face covering when entering a jobcentre. See the latest government guidance on meeting with others safely and social distancing
If we need to make an appointment with you, this will be on the phone. We will leave a message in your journal before we call you.
You still need to tell us if anything changes – use the ‘Report a change of circumstances’ link in your online account. If you’re already claiming Universal Credit and think you may have been affected by coronavirus, please contact your work coach as soon as possible.
What you will be expected to do
If you are able to work and are available for work you will need to do everything you reasonably can to give yourself the best chance of finding work. Preparing for and getting a job is expected to be your full time focus.
If you have a health condition or disability that limits your capability for work, the Department for Work and Pensions will work with you to best support you during this time. You may be asked to do work search and work preparation activities that are reasonable for your condition and situation. All requirements are agreed with your work coach and you won’t be asked to do something you’re not capable of.
If your health condition or disability improves or gets worse, what is asked of you will change to match your new situation.
If you have a current Fit Note from your GP you will not be asked to take up or be available for work.
If you are not required to do work search or work-related activities you will continue to be supported whilst you remain on Universal Credit.
If you are the lead carer for a child, what is expected of you will be based on the age of the youngest child in your household. For more details see Universal Credit: further information for families
If you don’t do what you’ve agreed
If you don’t meet your responsibilities or do what you’ve agreed in your Claimant Commitment, your Universal Credit payments could be stopped or reduced. This is called a sanction
