There are four different work-related requirements that could be applied to you if you claim UC.
If you are assessed as having Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA), then you will not have to meet any work-related requirements. If you are found to have Limited Capability for Work (LCW), then you will be expected to take part in work-focused interviews and work preparation.
If you are found capable of work, or at the start of your claim before you have been assessed under the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), you will usually be expected to meet all four requirements.
Work-focused interviews
This means having interviews with your work coach to help make it more likely you will find work. The interview might involve talking about things like the type of work or training you could do, assessing your prospects of finding work or identifying possible work opportunities.
If you have a health issue that would make it hard for you to attend interviews in person, you could explain your particular needs to UC and ask for the interviews to be conducted by telephone.
Work preparation
This means taking actions set by your work coach to help your chances of finding work, for example undertaking training, updating your CV or developing a business plan.
Your health problems or disabilities should be considered when setting work-related activity, even if you have been found capable of work under the WCA. You may be offered extra, specialist support with work preparation if you have health issues.
Work search
This means taking all reasonable steps to find paid work, more work or better paid work. This could include applying for jobs, creating an online profile or registering with a recruitment agency.
Most people will be expected to find work for 35 hours and a week so would be expected to spend the same number of hours searching for work if they are unemployed. However, any hours requirement should be reasonable considering your health/disability and so your work coach could agree that you are expected to spend less than 35 hours per week searching for work. In addition, you may have other circumstances that mean your hours requirement can be reduced, for example if you are the main carer of a child under the age of 13 or have caring responsibilities for a disabled person.
Work availability
This means being available to take up work or attend an interview. Most people will be expected to be available for an interview or to start work immediately but this can be varied, depending on your circumstances. If you are doing voluntary work, you are allowed up to one week to take up work and can be given 48 hours’ notice for attending an interview. If you are a carer for a disabled person or a child under 13, you can have up to one month to take up paid work or up to 48 hours to attend an interview.
You may also be able to agree restrictions on how far you would be expected to travel to work or the type of work you can be expected to do if you have a disability/health problem.
