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Conditionality and sanctions

Last updated: 08/09/2025

There are rules around how much you can earn and how many hours you can work whilst you claim Universal Credit.

Sanctions and conditionality are two seemingly confusing terms, which we will break down in this page.

Related information

Lone Parent Helpline: 0808 801 0323

See our Universal Credit guide.

You can find out more information from the Universal Credit section on the Govt website.

 

Conditionality refers to the set of work-related activities that everyone receiving Universal Credit (UC) needs to fulfil in order to be paid Universal Credit. Anyone who gets Universal Credit has to complete a claimant commitment with their Work Coach before getting their payments. The claimant commitment states that you agree to the conditionality in order to receive your payments.

Because of changes to Universal Credit conditionality, there are now certain requirements you’ll need to meet to continue receiving Universal Credit.

These could be things like:

  • attending job interviews
  • actively seeking employment
  • participating in training programs
  • taking part in work experience

If you do not meet these requirements without a valid reason, your Universal Credit payments might be reduced or stopped temporarily. This is called a sanction.

Everyone’s circumstances are different. If you would like more information on how this will affect you and your family, our Helpline advisors would be happy to speak to you.

What the rules mean for you

  • If you are a single parent who is not in paid employment and your youngest child is age 3, you will now be required to seek employment or face potential sanctions to your benefits
  • If you are a single parent in paid employment, you will now be expected to work at least 30 hours per week to receive Universal Credit if your children are aged between 3 and 12 years old
  • The amount you are allowed to earn (‘the Administrative Earnings threshold’ or AET) has increased from £892 per month to £952 per month for individual claimants, so if you are earning below that, you will be expected to look for more work.

How will they calculate if my job pays enough?

An ‘earnings threshold’ is used to check whether you’re earning enough from your job. This is based on the equivalent of working a 35-hour week on the National Minimum Wage when your youngest child turns 13 (currently £427.35 if you are 21 or over).

If you earn more than this:

  • you don’t have to look for more work or go to job centre meetings
  • you might still have check-ins with your work coach, but you’ll have fewer requirements than someone who is required to intensively search for work

If you earn less than this, you might be expected to:

  • ask your employer to increase your hours
  • look for an extra job
  • find a new job
  • attend regular job centre appointments

As you earn more money, your Universal Credit will also gradually decrease.

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