Help to find work on Universal Credit
You can get help to prepare for work, look for work or increase your earnings when you receive Universal Credit.
Universal Credit and work
Universal Credit is a payment for those who are on a low income or are out of work. It is based on your earnings and not the hours you work, offering more flexibility for you to increase your hours and helping to make sure you are better off in work.
To get Universal Credit you need to agree your commitment through your online account. Your commitment sets out the things you need to do to prepare for work, look for work or increase your earnings.
You will regularly discuss and update your commitment with your work coach, and you will need to agree to the commitment each time to keep getting Universal Credit.
Finding work
A wide range of job opportunities is available at JobApplyNI.
This website also gives details of Job Fairs and opportunities to improve your skills as well as links to other job sites, work support and training.
Work related support from your work coach
Your work coach will help you consider the steps you could take to prepare for and look for work. At your initial work focused interview, you will discuss your commitment which includes the requirement to take part in interviews. You must keep in contact with your work coach, through your Universal Credit journal, to keep them informed of your situation.
Your work coach will offer help and information on how to apply for jobs including creating a CV, filling in job application forms or preparing for interviews. You can contact your work coach through your Universal Credit journal on your online account.
You can find more information on help from your local Jobs and Benefits office to prepare for and look for work and if you need more support you can get Extra help starting or staying in work.
There are also Universal Credit video guides on preparing for and looking for work.
Help from the Careers Service to get work
As well as the support provided by Universal Credit, the Careers Service provides a careers information and guidance service to support people into, and during their work.
They have a broad range of information to help you look for work including finding and applying for jobs, returning to work, careers support and training programmes.
The Careers Service also provides detailed information on Jobs & skills, including redundancy and extra help starting, or staying in work. They also offer information on financial support to help you start or stay in work.
If you have been made redundant
If you have been made redundant from your job, information on support and benefits is available at Redundancy and looking for work. You can also find information on the Redundancy Service and your local Jobs and Benefits Office can further provide support and information.
Help and Support
If you would like independent help and advice on Universal Credit, you can visit any independent advice office or contact: