What is the Universal Credit claimant commitment?

For people claiming Universal Credit who need to agree or change their claimant commitment.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Your claimant commitment is the agreement you accept to get Universal Credit, listing what you will do to prepare for, look for or increase your work.

You must accept it in your online account, or your claim will be stopped.
If you live with a partner, you each have your own commitment.
What you are asked to do depends on your health, caring and the age of your youngest child.
If you are expected to look for work, this is usually up to 35 hours a week.
If you do not do what you agreed without a good reason, your payment can be cut (a sanction).

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Must accept it to get paid
Up to 35 hours a week of work search
Each partner has their own
Breaking it can mean a sanction

How to accept your claimant commitment

Make your Universal Credit claim.
Your commitment is set out based on your situation, such as your health, caring, children and work.
Read it carefully in your Universal Credit online account.
Accept it in your online account.

If you do not accept it, your claim will be stopped. If you claim as a couple, you each accept your own.

What it can include

looking for jobs and applying for them
getting ready for work, such as writing a CV or training
going to appointments with your work coach
replying to messages in your online account
reporting changes in your circumstances

How much you are asked to do

Your situation	What is usually expected
Expected to work, no limits	Up to 35 hours a week looking for or preparing for work
Main carer, youngest child under 1	No work search
Main carer, youngest child aged 1	Regular appointments about future work only
Main carer, youngest child aged 2	Appointments and work preparation, such as a CV
Main carer, youngest child aged 3 to 12	Work, or work-related activity, up to 30 hours a week
Main carer, youngest child 13 or over	Work, or work-related activity, up to 35 hours a week
Health amount (LCWRA), caring 35 hours or more for someone on a disability benefit, or terminally ill	No work-related requirements

Your requirements can be reduced for a time if, for example, you are ill for up to 14 days, you have been bereaved, you are homeless or at risk of it, or you have experienced domestic abuse.

If you are already working

The administrative earnings threshold decides how much you need to do. From 1 April 2026 it is £991 a month for a single person, or £1,597 a month combined for a couple. This is measured before tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.

Below the threshold: you are expected to look for more or better-paid work and see your work coach regularly.
At or above it: you no longer have to attend regular work coach meetings.

Sanctions

If you do not do what you agreed and do not have a good reason, your payment can be reduced or stopped. This is called a sanction. If you cannot afford essentials because of a sanction, you may be able to get a hardship payment, which you usually pay back.

If things change

Your commitment is reviewed regularly. If you cannot do what you agreed, tell Universal Credit straight away. It will be changed if, for example, you become ill, your partner starts a job or you have a child.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

The claimant commitment rules are the same across Great Britain. In Northern Ireland, Universal Credit is run by the Department for Communities, so check nidirect for their version.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Read the GOV.UK guide

Common questions

What happens if I do not accept my claimant commitment?

Your Universal Credit claim will be stopped.

Can my claimant commitment be changed?

Yes. It is reviewed regularly and changes if your circumstances change, for example if you become ill, your partner starts a job or you have a child.

Do I have to look for work if I am a single parent?

It depends on your youngest child's age. With a child under 3 you are not expected to look for work, and with a child aged 3 to 12 it is up to 30 hours a week.

Official sources

1.Universal Credit: your claimant commitment (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment
2.Universal Credit and your claimant commitment (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-your-claimant-commitment-quick-guide/universal-credit-and-your-claimant-commitment
3.Universal Credit if you have children (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-if-you-have-children

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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