Financial support for back to work essentials & living costs

The government’s new initiative to tackle long-term employment, known as the Back to Work plan, rolls out at the end of the year.

The plan aims to get more people back to work, meaning there’s going to be more people looking for new job opportunities.

We’ve brought together information on a number of ways tenants can get support to get ready for work, and manage living costs.

Tenant Support Fund

Starting a new job can be tough on the wallet. You might have to buy a suit or more formal clothes for a job interview, or your new job may require you to have certain essential work equipment.

If you’re facing extreme financial hardship, we may be able to help you with those costs through our Tenant Support Fund.

The fund is a pot of money set aside for tenants experiencing financial difficulty and can be used to help those attending job interviews or starting a new job.

You’ll need to fill out an application form to apply to the fund. Please speak to your Neighbourhood Team to find out if you might be eligible and to get help completing the form.

Changes to benefits

The rules around universal credit and jobseeker’s allowance are changing as part of the government's plans to encourage people into employment.

If you claim universal credit and jobseeker’s allowance and refuse to look for jobs after being deemed fit to work, you could face losing these benefits altogether.

Gov.uk has more information.

Other changes to universal credit

For people who claim universal credit and are required to work, the minimum number of hours you can work was increased from 15 to 18 in May 2024.

The 18-hour minimum applies to people earning the National Living Wage, which is £11.44 for those aged 21 or over.

If you’re earning more per hour, you can work fewer hours, as long as your total earnings meet a level called the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET).

The AET now stands at £892, which is what you would earn in a month if you worked for 18 hours a week at the minimum wage.

This BBC article has more details.