PART 8CLAIMANT RESPONSIBILITIES
CHAPTER 1WORK-RELATED REQUIREMENTS
Introductory
Introduction84
This Chapter contains provisions about the work-related requirements under sections 15 to 25 of the Act, including the persons to whom they are to be applied, the limitations on those requirements and other related matters.
Meaning of terms relating to carers85
In this Chapter—
“relevant carer” means—
- a
a parent of a child who is not the responsible carer, but has caring responsibilities for the child; or
- b
a person who has caring responsibilities for a person who has a physical or mental impairment; and
- a
“responsible foster parent” in relation to a child means a person who is the only foster parent in relation to that child or, in the case of a couple both members of which are foster parents in relation to that child, the member who is nominated by them in accordance with regulation 86.
Nomination of responsible carer and responsible foster parent86
1
This regulation makes provision for the nomination of the responsible carer or the responsible foster parent in relation to a child.
2
Only one of joint claimants may be nominated as a responsible carer or a responsible foster parent.
3
The nomination applies to all the children, where there is more than one, for whom either of the joint claimants is responsible.
4
Joint claimants may change which member is nominated—
a
once in a 12 month period, starting from the date of the previous nomination; or
b
on any occasion where the Secretary of State considers that there has been a change of circumstances which is relevant to the nomination.
References to paid work87
References in this Chapter to obtaining paid work include obtaining more paid work or better paid work.
Expected hours88
1
The “expected number of hours per week” in relation to a claimant for the purposes of determining their individual threshold in regulation 90 or for the purposes of regulation 95 or 97 is 35 unless some lesser number of hours applies under paragraph (2).
2
The lesser number of hours is—
a
where—
i
the claimant is a relevant carer, a responsible carer F58(subject to the following sub-paragraphs) or a responsible foster parent, and
ii
the Secretary of State is satisfied that the claimant has reasonable prospects of obtaining paid work,
the number of hours that the Secretary of State considers is compatible with those caring responsibilities;
F59aa
where the claimant is a responsible carer of a child who has not yet reached compulsory school age, the number of hours that the Secretary of State considers is compatible with those caring responsibilities;
b
where the claimant is a responsible carer for a child F30who has reached compulsory school age but who is under the age of 13, the number of hours that the Secretary of State considers is compatible with the child's normal school hours (including the normal time it takes the child to travel to and from school); or
c
where the claimant has a physical or mental impairment, the number of hours that the Secretary of State considers is reasonable in light of the impairment.
CHAPTER 2SANCTIONS
Introduction100
1
This Chapter contains provisions about the reduction in the amount of an award of universal credit in the event of a failure by a claimant which is sanctionable under section 26 or 27 of the Act (“a sanctionable failure”).
F551A
In this Chapter references to a “current sanctionable failure” are to a sanctionable failure in relation to which the Secretary of State has not yet determined whether the amount of an award of universal credit is to be reduced under section 26 or 27 of the Act.
2
How the period of the reduction for each sanctionable failure is to be determined is dealt with in regulations 101 to 105.
3
When the reduction begins or ceases to have effect is dealt with in regulations 106 to 109.
4
How the amount of a reduction is calculated for an assessment period in which the reduction has effect is set out in regulations 110 and 111.
5
Regulations 112 to 114 provide for some miscellaneous matters (movement of sanctions from a jobseeker's allowance or an employment and support allowance, cases in which no reduction is made for a sanctionable failure and prescription of work placement scheme for the purposes of section 26(2)(a) of the Act).
Reduction periods
General principles for calculating reduction periods101
1
The number of days for which a reduction in the amount of an award is to have effect (“the reduction period”) is to be determined in relation to each sanctionable failure in accordance with regulations 102 to 105, but subject to paragraphs (3) and (4).
2
Reduction periods are to run consecutively.
3
If the reduction period calculated in relation to a sanctionable failure in accordance with regulations 102 to 105 would result in the total outstanding reduction period exceeding 1095 days, the reduction period in relation to that failure is to be adjusted so that the total outstanding reduction period does not exceed 1095 days.
F54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
In paragraph (3) “the total outstanding reduction period” is the total number of days for which no reduction in an award under section 26 or 27 of the Act has yet been applied.
Higher-level sanction102
1
This regulation specifies the reduction period for a sanctionable failure under section 26 of the Act (“higher level sanction”).
F242
Where the sanctionable failure is not a pre-claim failure, the reduction in the circumstances described in the first column of the following table is the period set out in—
a
the second column, where the claimant is aged 18 or over on the date of the sanctionable failure;
b
the third column, where the claimant is aged 16 or 17 on the date of the sanctionable failure.
Circumstances in which reduction period applies | Reduction period where claimant aged 18 or over | Reduction period where claimant aged 16 or 17 |
Where there has been no previous sanctionable failure by the claimant giving rise to a higher-level sanction | 91 days | 14 days |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant giving rise to a higher-level sanction and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is not within 365 days beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure | 91 days | 14 days |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant giving rise to a higher-level sanction and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is within 365 days, but not within 14 days, beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure and the reduction period applicable to the most recent previous sanctionable failure is— | ||
(a) 14 days | – | 28 days |
(b) 28 days | – | 28 days |
(c) 91 days | 182 days | – |
(d) 182 days | 1095 days | – |
(e) 1095 days | 1095 days | – |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant giving rise to a higher-level sanction and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is within 14 days beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure and the reduction period applicable to the most recent previous sanctionable failure is— | ||
(a) 14 days | – | 14 days |
(b) 28 days | – | 28 days |
(c) 91 days | 91 days | – |
(d) 182 days | 182 days | – |
(e) 1095 days | 1095 days | – |
3
But where the other sanctionable failure referred to in paragraph (2) was a pre-claim failure it is disregarded in determining the reduction period in accordance with that paragraph.
4
Where the sanctionable failure for which a reduction period is to be determined is a pre-claim failure, the period is the lesser of—
a
the period that would be applicable to the claimant under paragraph (2) if it were not a pre-claim failure; or
b
where the sanctionable failure relates to paid work that was due to last for a limited period, the period beginning with the day after the date of the sanctionable failure and ending with the date on which the limited period would have ended,
minus the number of days beginning with the day after the date of the sanctionable failure and ending on the day before the date of claim.
F365
In this regulation—
“higher-level sanction” means a sanction under section 26 of the Act;
“pre-claim failure” means a failure sanctionable under section 26(4) of the Act.
Medium-level sanction103
1
This regulation specifies the reduction period for a sanctionable failure under section 27 of the Act (other sanctions) where it is a failure by the claimant to comply with—
a
a work search requirement under section 17(1)(a) (to take all reasonable action to obtain paid work etc.); or
b
a work availability requirement under section 18(1).
F232
The reduction in the circumstances described in the first column of the following table is the period set out in—
a
the second column, where the claimant is aged 18 or over on the date of the sanctionable failure;
b
the third column, where the claimant is aged 16 or 17 on the date of the sanctionable failure.
Circumstances in which reduction period applies | Reduction period where claimant aged 18 or over | Reduction period where claimant aged 16 or 17 |
Where there has been no previous sanctionable failure by the claimant that falls within paragraph (1) | 28 days | 7 days |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant that fall within paragraph (1) and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is not within 365 days beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure | 28 days | 7 days |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant that fall within paragraph (1) and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is within 365 days, but not within 14 days, beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure and the reduction period applicable to the most recent previous sanctionable failure is— | ||
(a) 7 days | – | 14 days |
(b) 14 days | – | 14 days |
(c) 28 days | 91 days | – |
(d) 91 days | 91 days | – |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant that fall within paragraph (1) and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is within 14 days beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure and the reduction period applicable to the most recent previous sanctionable failure is— | ||
(a) 7 days | – | 7 days |
(b) 14 days | – | 14 days |
(c) 28 days | 28 days | – |
(d) 91 days | 91 days | – |
Low-level sanction104
1
This regulation specifies the reduction period for a sanctionable failure under section 27 of the Act (other sanctions) where —
a
the claimant falls within section 21 (claimants subject to work preparation requirement) or 22 (claimants subject to all work-related requirements) of the Act on the date of that failure; and
b
it is a failure to comply with—
i
a work-focused interview requirement under section 15(1),
ii
a work preparation requirement under section 16(1),
iii
a work search requirement under section 17(1)(b) (to take any particular action specified by the Secretary of State to obtain work etc.), or
iv
a requirement under section 23(1), (3) or (4) (connected requirements: interviews and verification of compliance).
2
Where the claimant is aged 18 or over on the date of the sanctionable failure, the reduction period is the total of—
a
the number of days beginning with the date of the sanctionable failure and ending with—
i
the day before the date on which the claimant meets a compliance condition specified by the Secretary of State,
ii
the day before the date on which the claimant falls within section 19 of the Act (claimant subject to no work-related requirements),
iii
the day before the date on which the claimant is no longer required to take a particular action specified as a work preparation requirement by the Secretary of State under section 16, or
iv
the date on which the award terminates (other than by reason of the claimant ceasing to be, or becoming, a member of a couple),
whichever is soonest; and
F7b
in the circumstances described in the first column of the following table, the number of days set out in the second column.
Circumstances applicable to claimant’s case | Number of days |
Where there has been no previous sanctionable failure by the claimant that falls within paragraph (1) | 7 days |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant that fall within paragraph (1) and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is not within 365 days beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure | 7 days |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant that fall within paragraph (1) and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is within 365 days, but not within 14 days, beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure and the reduction period applicable to the most recent previous sanctionable failure is— | |
(a) 7 days | 14 days |
(b) 14 days | 28 days |
(c) 28 days | 28 days |
Where there have been one or more previous sanctionable failures by the claimant that fall within paragraph (1) and the date of the most recent previous sanctionable failure is within 14 days beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure and the reduction period applicable to the most recent previous sanctionable failure is— | |
(a) 7 days | 7 days |
(b) 14 days | 14 days |
(c) 28 days | 28 days. |
3
Where the claimant is aged 16 or 17 years on the date of the sanctionable failure, the reduction period is—
a
the number of days beginning with the date of the sanctionable failure and ending with—
i
the day before the date on which the claimant meets a compliance condition specified by the Secretary of State,
ii
the day before the date on which the claimant falls within section 19 of the Act (claimant subject to no work-related requirements),
iii
the day before the date on which the claimant is no longer required to take a particular action specified as a work preparation requirement by the Secretary of State under section 16, or
iv
date on which the award terminates (other than by reason of the claimant ceasing to be, or becoming, a member of a couple),
whichever is soonest; and
F15b
if there was another sanctionable failure of a kind mentioned in paragraph (1) within 365 days, but not within 14 days, beginning with the date of the current sanctionable failure, 7 days.
Lowest-level sanction105
1
This regulation specifies the reduction period for a sanctionable failure under section 27 of the Act (other sanctions) where it is a failure by a claimant who falls within section 20 of the Act (claimants subject to work-focused interview requirement only) to comply with a requirement under that section.
2
The reduction period is the number of days beginning with the date of the sanctionable failure and ending with—
a
the day before the date on which the claimant meets a compliance condition specified by the Secretary of State;
b
the day before the date on which the claimant falls within section 19 of the Act (claimant subject to no work-related requirements); or
c
the day on which the award terminates (other than by reason of the claimant ceasing to be, or becoming, a member of a couple),
whichever is soonest.
When reduction to have effect
Start of the reduction106
A reduction period determined in relation to a sanctionable failure takes effect from—
a
the first day of the assessment period in which the Secretary of State determines that the amount of the award is to be reduced under section 26 or 27 of the Act (but see also regulation 107(2));
b
if the amount of the award of universal credit for the assessment period referred to in paragraph (a) is not reduced in that period, the first day of the next assessment period; or
c
if the amount of the award for the assessment period referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) is already subject to a reduction because of a previous sanctionable failure, the first day in respect of which the amount of the award is no longer subject to that reduction.
Reduction period to continue where award terminatesC1C3107
1
If an award of universal credit terminates while there is an outstanding reduction period, the period continues to run as if a daily reduction were being applied and if the claimant becomes entitled to a new award (whether as single or joint claimant) before that period expires, that award is subject to a reduction for the remainder of the total outstanding reduction period.
2
If an award of universal credit terminates before the Secretary of State determines that the amount of the award is to be reduced under section 26 or 27 of the Act in relation to a sanctionable failure and that determination is made after the claimant becomes entitled to a new award the reduction period in relation to that failure is to have effect for the purposes of paragraph (1) as if that determination had been made on the day before the previous award terminated.
Suspension of a reduction where fraud penalty applies108
1
A reduction in the amount of an award under section 26 or 27 of the Act is to be suspended for any period during which the provisions of section 6B, 7 or 9 of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 M5 apply to the award.
2
The reduction ceases to have effect on the day on which that period begins and begins again on the day after that period ends.
When a reduction is to be terminated109
1
A reduction in the amount of an award under section 26 or 27 of the Act is to be terminated where—
a
since the date of the most recent sanctionable failure which gave rise to a reduction, the claimant has been in paid work for a period of, or for periods amounting in total to, at least F56six months; and
b
the claimant's F22monthly earnings during that period or those periods were equal to or exceeded—
i
the claimant's individual threshold, F44...
F13ia
where the claimant has no individual threshold, the amount that a person would be paid at the hourly rate specified in regulation 4 or regulation 4A(1)(a) to (c) of the National Minimum Wage Regulations for 16 hours per week, converted to a monthly amount by multiplying by 52 and dividing by 12, or
ii
if paragraph (4) of regulation 90 applies (threshold for an apprentice) the amount applicable under that paragraph.
2
The termination of the reduction has effect—
a
where the date on which paragraph (1) is satisfied falls within a period of entitlement to universal credit, from the beginning of the assessment period in which that date falls; or
b
where that date falls outside a period of entitlement to universal credit, from the beginning of the first assessment period in relation to any subsequent award.
Amount of reduction
Amount of reduction for each assessment period110
Where it has been determined that an award of universal credit is to be reduced under section 26 or 27 of the Act, the amount of the reduction for each assessment period in respect of which a reduction has effect is to be calculated as follows.
Step 1
Take the number of days—
a
in the assessment period; or
b
if lower, in the total outstanding reduction period,
and deduct any days in that assessment period for which the reduction is suspended in accordance with regulation 108.
Step 2
Multiply the number of days produced by step 1 by the daily reduction rate (see regulation 111).
Step 3
If necessary, adjust the amount produced by step 2 so that it does not exceed—
a
the amount of the standard allowance applicable to the award; or
b
in the case of a joint claim where a determination under section 26 or 27 of the Act applies only in relation to one claimant, half the amount of that standard allowance.
Step 4
Deduct the amount produced by steps 2 and 3 from the amount of the award for the assessment period after any deduction has been made in accordance with Part 7 (the benefit cap).
Daily reduction rate111
C21
The daily reduction rate for the purposes of regulation 110 is, unless paragraph (2), or (3) applies, an amount equal to the amount of the standard allowance that is applicable to the award multiplied by 12 and divided by 365.
2
The daily reduction rate is 40% of the rate set out in paragraph (1) if, at the end of the assessment period—
a
the claimant is aged 16 or 17;
b
the claimant falls within section 19 of the Act (claimant subject to no work-related requirements) by virtue of—
i
subsection (2)(c) of that section (responsible carer for a child under the age of 1), or
ii
regulation 89(1)(c),(d) or (f) (adopter, claimant within 11 weeks before or 15 weeks after confinement or responsible foster parent of a child under the age of 1); or
c
the claimant falls within section 20 (claimant subject to work-focused interview only).
3
The daily reduction rate is nil if, at the end of the assessment period, the claimant falls within section 19 of the Act by virtue of having limited capability for work and work-related activity.
4
The amount of the rate in F1paragraphs (1) and (2) is to be rounded down to the nearest 10 pence.
5
In the case of joint claimants-
a
each joint claimant is considered individually for the purpose of determining the rate applicable under paragraphs (1) to (3); and
b
half of any applicable rate is applied to each joint claimant accordingly.
Miscellaneous
Application of ESA or JSA sanctions to universal credit112
Schedule 11 has effect in relation to persons who are, or have been, entitled to an employment and support allowance or a jobseeker's allowance and who are, or become, entitled to universal credit.
Failures for which no reduction is applied113
1
No reduction is to be made under section 26 or 27 of the Act for a sanctionable failure where—
a
the sanctionable failure is listed in section 26(2)(b) or (c) (failure to apply for a particular vacancy for paid work, or failure to take up an offer of paid work) and the vacancy is because of a strike arising from a trade dispute;
b
the sanctionable failure is listed in section 26(2)(d) (claimant ceases paid work or loses pay), and the following circumstances apply—
i
the claimant's work search and work availability requirements are subject to limitations imposed under section 17(4) and 18(3) in respect of work available for a certain number of hours,
ii
the claimant takes up paid work, or is in paid work and takes up more paid work that is for a greater number of hours, and
iii
the claimant voluntarily ceases that paid work, or more paid work, or loses pay, within a trial period;
c
the sanctionable failure is that the claimant voluntarily ceases paid work, or loses pay, because of a strike arising from a trade dispute;
d
the sanctionable failure is that the claimant voluntarily ceases paid work as a member of the regular or reserve forces, or loses pay in that capacity;
e
the sanctionable failure is listed in section 26(4) (failure to take up an offer of paid work, or to cease paid work or lose pay before making a claim), and the period of the reduction that would otherwise apply under regulation 102(4) is the same as, or shorter than, the number of days beginning with the day after the date of the sanctionable failure and ending with the date of claim;
f
the sanctionable failure is that the claimant voluntarily ceases paid work in one of the following circumstances—
i
the claimant has been dismissed because of redundancy after volunteering or agreeing to be dismissed,
ii
the claimant has ceased work on an agreed date without being dismissed in pursuance of an agreement relating to voluntary redundancy, or
iii
the claimant has been laid-off or kept on short-time to the extent specified in section 148 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, and has complied with the requirements of that section; or
g
the sanctionable failure is that the claimant by reason of misconduct, or voluntarily and for no good reason, ceases paid work or loses pay, but the claimant's F19monthly earnings (or, if the claimant is a member of a couple, their joint F19monthly earnings) have not fallen below F33the amount specified in regulation 99(6) (circumstances in which requirements must not be imposed).
2
In this regulation “regular or reserve forces” has the same meaning as in section 374 of the Armed Forces Act 2006 M6.
Sanctionable failures under section 26 - work placementsF2114
1
A placement on the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme is a prescribed placement for the purpose of section 26(2)(a) of the Act (sanctionable failure not to comply with a work placement).
2
In paragraph (1) “the Mandatory Work Activity Scheme” means a scheme provided pursuant to arrangements made by the Secretary of State and known by that name that is designed to provide work or work-related activity for up to 30 hours per week over a period of 4 consecutive weeks with a view to assisting claimants to improve their prospects of obtaining employment.
CHAPTER 3HARDSHIP
Introduction115
This Chapter contains provisions under section 28 of the Act for the making of hardship payments where the amount of an award is reduced under section 26 or 27 of the Act.
Conditions for hardship payments116
1
The Secretary of State must make a hardship payment to a single claimant or to joint claimants only where—
a
the claimant in respect of whose sanctionable failure the award has been reduced under section 26 or 27 of the Act is aged 18 or over;
b
the single claimant or each joint claimant has met any compliance condition specified by the Secretary of State under regulation 104(2)(a)(i);
c
the single claimant or either joint claimant completes and submits an application—
i
approved for the purpose by the Secretary of State, or in such other form as the Secretary of State accepts as sufficient, and
ii
in such manner as the Secretary of State determines;
d
the single claimant or either joint claimant furnishes such information or evidence as the Secretary of State may require, in such manner as the Secretary of State determines:
e
the single claimant or each joint claimant accepts that any hardship payments that are paid are recoverable;
f
the Secretary of State is satisfied that the single claimant or each joint claimant has complied with all the work-related requirements that they were required to comply with in the 7 days preceeding the day on which the claimant or joint claimants submitted an application in accordance with sub-paragraph (c); F17...
g
the Secretary of State is satisfied that the single claimant or each joint claimant is in hardshipF48; and
h
the daily reduction rate in regulation 111(1) applies for the purposes of the reduction in respect of the claimant under section 26 or 27 of the Act.
2
For the purposes of paragraph (1)(g) a single claimant or joint claimants must be considered as being in hardship only where—
a
they cannot meet their immediate and most basic and essential needs, specified in paragraph (3), or the immediate and most basic and essential needs of a child or qualifying young person for whom the single claimant or either of the joint claimants is responsible, only because the amount of their award has been reduced—
i
under section 26 or 27 of the Act, by the daily reduction rate set out in F29regulation 111(1), or
ii
by the daily reduction rate prescribed in regulations made under section 6B(5A), 7(2A) or 9(2A) of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 M7 which is equivalent to the rate referred to in paragraph (i);
b
they have made every effort to access alternative sources of support to meet, or partially meet, such needs; and
c
they have made every effort to cease to incur any expenditure which does not relate to such needs.
3
The needs referred to in paragraph (2) are—
a
accommodation;
b
heating;
c
food;
d
hygiene.
The period of hardship paymentsF3117
1
A hardship payment is to be made in respect of a period which—
a
begins with the date on which all the conditions in regulation 116(1) are met; and
b
unless paragraph (2) applies, ends with the day before the normal payment date for the assessment period in which those conditions are met.
2
If the period calculated in accordance with paragraph (1) would be 7 days or less, it does not end on the date referred to in paragraph (1)(b) but instead ends on the normal payment date for the following assessment period or, if earlier, the last day on which the award is to be reduced under section 26 or 27 of the Act or under section 6B(5A), 7(2A) or 9(2A) of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001.
3
In this regulation “the normal payment date” for an assessment period is the date on which the Secretary of State would normally expect to make a regular payment of universal credit in respect of an assessment period in a case where payments of universal credit are made monthly in arrears.
The amount of hardship payments118
The amount of a hardship payment for each day in respect of which such a payment is to be made is to be determined in accordance with the formula—
where A is equal to the amount of the reduction in the single claimant's or joint claimants' award calculated under regulation 110 for the assessment period preceding the assessment period in which an application is submitted under regulation 116(1)(c).
Recoverability of hardship payments119
1
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), hardship payments are recoverable in accordance with section 71ZH of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 M8.
F272
Paragraph (1) does not apply in relation to any assessment period in which—
a
the single claimant, or each joint claimant, falls within section 19 of the Act by virtue of regulation 90 (claimants subject to no work-related requirements – the earnings threshold);
b
where regulation 90 applies to one of the joint claimants only, the joint claimants’ combined monthly earnings are equal to or exceed the amount of the individual threshold; or
c
where regulation 90 does not apply to the single claimant or to either of the joint claimants, that claimant or the joint claimants’ combined monthly earnings are equal to or exceed the amount that a person of the same age as the claimant, or the youngest of the joint claimants, would be paid at the hourly rate specified in regulation 4 or regulation 4A(1)(a) to (c) of the National Minimum Wage Regulations for 16 hours per week, converted to a monthly amount by multiplying by 52 and dividing by 12.
3
Paragraph (1) ceases to apply where, since the last day on which the claimant’s or the joint claimants’ award was subject to a reduction under section 26 or 27 of the Act—
a
the single claimant, or each joint claimant, has fallen within section 19 of the Act by virtue of regulation 90 (claimants subject to no work-related requirements – the earnings threshold);
b
where regulation 90 applied to one of the joint claimants only, the joint claimants’ have had combined monthly earnings that are equal to or exceed the amount of the individual threshold; or
c
where regulation 90 did not apply to the single claimant or to either of the joint claimants, that claimant or the joint claimants’ have had combined monthly earnings that are equal to or exceed the amount that a person of the same age as the claimant, or the youngest of the joint claimants, would be paid at the hourly rate specified in regulation 4 or regulation 4A(1)(a) to (c) of the National Minimum Wage Regulations for 16 hours per week, converted to a monthly amount by multiplying by 52 and dividing by 12,
for a period of, or more than one period where the total of those periods amounts to, at least 6 months.