Couple's AET, Full time employment and Self Employment

e4e

Hi Experts

Have just made a claim for UC.

If I am full time employed earning more than a couple's AET of £1437; would my partner be required to work by UC?

She is self-employed registered and has a company registered in her name with no profits made so far for the past 2 years.

To make use of achieved couple's joint AET; f I take over the company Directorship while also employed Full time; what would be the implications of this in terms of MIF and then UC asking my partner to look for work; if yes then how many hours she would need to work?

Appreciate your support and guidance.

Thanks

Emilee

If your wife was no longer registered self-employed and you continued to earn over the couple's AET, your wife should not be asked to look for work. She could be asked to do work preparation activities and engage in some meetings with a work coach.

One thing to be aware of is that in 2023 it was announced that the couples AET would be removed. The new Government have not made their intentions regarding this clear and I wouldn't advise making any long term decisions based upon the AET in case they go along with the removal. Information about their plans was recently requested under a FOI request but they're keeping tight lipped currently.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ujiversal_credit_removing_the_co#:~:text=In%20Budget%202023%20it%20was,couples%20AET%20would%20be%20abolished.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @e4e and welcome to the community 😊

As emilee said, your wife shouldn't be asked to work because as a couple you earn more than the AET. Here's some more info about it https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-earnings#:~:text=The%20'Administrative%20Earnings%20Threshold'%20(,%C2%A31%2C437%20per%20assessment%20period .

e4e

Thank you both Emilee and Rachel.

My wife has been scheduled for an interview next week and her appointment says on the journal is to discuss her self employment plans; since she has not been earning anything on self employment and there are no prospects in near future- would it be wise to de-register her as self employed and tell the UC staff on the day that she is not self employed anymore.

Its worth mentioning that I work on an average 50+/- hours a week and she needs to look after primary school age kids.

Emilee

Did you report her as the primary carer for the children? And yes, the appointment is likely a Gateway interview for self employment, if she is no longer registered as self employed there is no requirement for her to have the meeting. You may need to nudge them to remove the appointment as they may not do this automatically.

e4e

Hi Emilee- she has been named as the primary carer of kids.