Claimant Commitment
A Claimant Commitment is a personalised agreement between a Universal Credit claimant and their work coach that sets out what the claimant must do to receive their full benefit payment. Requirements vary depending on the claimant's circumstances — those who are unemployed and capable of work are usually expected to spend 35 hours a week searching for work. Failing to meet the agreed requirements without good reason can result in a benefit sanction.
Claimant Commitments place claimants into one of four conditionality groups: no work-related requirements (e.g. LCWRA, carers of severely disabled people); work-preparation only (e.g. LCW); work-focused interviews only; or full work-search (35 hours/week for those without health conditions or caring responsibilities). Sanctions for non-compliance come in three tiers: low (failure to attend an interview — deduction for up to 7 days), medium (failure to participate in work preparation — up to 28 days), and high (leaving voluntarily or being dismissed for misconduct — up to 182 days, or three years for repeated failures). Always provide a good-reason defence in writing — illness, caring responsibilities, or travel difficulties can all qualify. If sanctioned, you can still apply for a Hardship Payment (a repayable loan of 60% of the standard allowance).