AQW 8327/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 07/10/2020
Answered On Date: 19/10/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities how the Job Support Scheme will interact with childcare or other elements of Universal Credit.

Answer:

Entitlement to the childcare element of Universal Credit will not be affected by the Job Support Scheme.

The support which will be provided to employees who can return to work part-time under the Job Support Scheme will be taken into account in calculating the amount of Universal Credit. This is similar to the position for employees under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – commonly known as the furlough scheme - which is due to end on 31 October 2020.

Work allowances are provided to those who are responsible for one or more children and/or have limited capability for work. For those with housing costs the work allowance is £287 per month and £503 per month for those without housing costs. Universal Credit is not reduced until earnings exceed these amounts and then by 63 pence in the pound.