Claimant Commitment
An agreement a Universal Credit claimant must accept, setting out what they must do — such as work search and work availability requirements — in order to receive payment. It is discussed at a jobcentre meeting, reviewed regularly, and failure to comply can lead to a sanction.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
To receive Universal Credit payments, a claimant must accept an agreement called a 'claimant commitment'. Couples living together must both claim Universal Credit and each has their own separate commitment. The claimant will have a meeting, usually at the jobcentre, to discuss their circumstances and anything that could make it hard to do what is in the commitment — for example a mental health condition or caring responsibilities — before being asked to accept the commitment in their online account; if they do not accept it, the claim will be stopped.
The claimant commitment is reviewed regularly and changes if circumstances change, for instance if the claimant becomes ill, their partner starts work, or they have a child, and a claimant may be able to get a short pause or change to it in an emergency, such as a death in the family or a risk of homelessness. Someone who a medical professional has said is nearing the end of life does not need a claimant commitment and will not be sanctioned. If a claimant does not do what is in their commitment, they could get a sanction.
Related terms
Official sources
This explanation is drawn from the official sources below; every substantive statement is verified against them. For advice on a specific matter, see our find help page.