The Universal Credit assessment period and earned income

This Commons Library briefing looks at the problems working Universal Credit claimants can experience because of the assessment period rules, and at the implications of a recent High Court judgment.

While the High Court rejected the DWP’s application for permission to appeal the decision, the Department has now received permission to appeal from the Court of Appeal and a hearing has been scheduled for 19 May 2020. In the meantime, the DWP has said that it is relying on powers in social security law which allow it to continue to apply the law as it stood before the High Court gave its ruling on 11 January, until the case is finally concluded.