Petition · Department for Work and Pensions

Put time limits on claiming housing & welfare benefits and require job-seeking

Closed 85 signatures

What the petition asks

Introduce time limits on claiming combined housing subsidies, council tax support and Universal Credit for all able-bodied working-age adults. Require active job-seeking and skills development for all able-bodied working-age adults who claim housing and welfare benefits.
Taxpayers fund welfare, but many do not see a pathway encouraging recipients towards independence. Without time limits, those receiving benefits may lack motivation to transition into work. Time-bound support with job-search requirements could create mutual benefit: recipients could gain skills and self-sufficiency, while working families may see contributions create genuine pathways out of poverty rather than permanent dependency. We believe the system should lift people up, not trap them.

Timeline

19 Jan 2026 Petition opened for signatures
19 Jul 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 85
Status Closed
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 19 Jan 2026
Closed 19 Jul 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Aug 2026.