Young man working in construction looks frustrated

Campaign with us to Make Work Pay

A benefit system that puts people off work is a broken system. 

Young people deserve to reach their full potential and be excited about their future in work.  But right now, outdated benefit rules are holding them back.

The Government is so close to changing this in the upcoming Budget, let’s make sure they don’t forget.

So what's the issue?

If you work more hours, you should be better off. It should be that simple. 

But this isn’t the case for more than 30,000 young people who have experienced homelessness. Because of a long-standing flaw in the system, the moment they work more hours, vital benefits are stripped away – often leaving them worse-off for trying to find their independence. 

Join us to take the opportunity to fix a cruel quirk that leaves people living in supported accommodation worse off in work.

We are calling on the Government to Make Work Pay and end the benefit trap that homeless young people are facing. Will you join us?

Tell your MP to Make Work Pay

End the benefit trap

Watch Beth's story navigating the benefit trap

A major flaw in the system means young people facing homelessness are worse off the more they work. It doesn’t make sense – but it’s true. Because of an oversight in an already complex benefits system, young people are being penalised for working hard to get out of homelessness. 

The UK Government's Budget is our chance to put things right - but only if enough of us raise our voices. Watch Beth's story to find out how to join the campaign and end the benefit trap.  

Woman looks worried in warehouse

Email your MP now

Every young person deserves the chance to build a life with secure housing and meaningful work - and your MP can help make that happen. This is a crucial time to make sure that MPs up and down the country know about the benefit trap and join our call for the Chancellor to fix the system. 

Email your MP now

Read our Open Letters

Making Work Pay - the research

Young people in supported housing face a steep financial cliff edge when they try to increase their hours at work. But for young people in supported housing, the system is much harsher. Because their benefits are split between Universal Credit (UC) and Housing Benefit (HB), they face a steeper and more punitive withdrawal of support as soon as they enter or progress in work, leaving many worse off overall and effectively blocking their route into stable employment and independence. 

Our new briefing and methodological note set our new cost-benefit analysis evidencing the need for reform. 

To remove these barriers, we are calling for two key changes: 

  • Increase the earned income disregard to £57 for those in supported housing 
  • Reduce the Housing Benefit taper rate to 55%. 

Centrepoint found that implementing these policies could save the government almost £13 million in just the first year.  

These changes would bring the system more in line with Universal Credit rules in the private rented sector, ensuring that work always pays and giving young people in supported accommodation a fair chance to move on from homelessness.

Read our research

Lady in kitchen
"I haven't lived in supported housing for about four years and I'm still playing catch up [with] all of the debt that put me in.

I'm still fighting. It's a fight. It's a constant fight and it just doesn't end. Even when you're out of that system, you still feel wrong. You still want to get justice, but there's nothing available.”

- Ellie, young person who experienced the benefit trap

How you can support the campaign to Make Work Pay

Amplify the campaign on your channels

Share the campaign on your social media channels or with MPs when you are having conversations with them. Download our social media pack or our sector-wide briefing for MPs on this issue.
Download the social media pack 3.76 MB
Download the Make Work Pay briefing for MPs 131.1 KB