Universal Credit Work Search Review Channels Trial

Last registered on January 05, 2026
View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Universal Credit Work Search Review Channels Trial
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0016316
Initial registration date
December 18, 2025

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
January 05, 2026, 7:06 AM EST

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

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Primary Investigator

Name
Daniel Woodell
Affiliation
Department for Work and Pensions
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2023-11-01
End date
2026-09-30
Keywords
Labor, Welfare
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
This trial will test at scale an alternative to the existing regime for Universal Credit (UC) claimants in the Intensive Work Search (IWS) group, focussing on work search reviews (WSRs) delivered by Work Coaches, a core component of UC conditionality. Specifically, it will test whether offering claimants an alternative to face-to-face reviews by taking a blended approach which includes WSRs via telephone and video is a viable approach and doesn’t impact claimant outcomes. This trial is one element of a wider programme of work focussed on UC conditionality for IWS claimants.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Woodell, Daniel. 2026. "Universal Credit Work Search Review Channels Trial." AEA RCT Registry. January 05. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.16316-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Intervention Start Date
2023-11-01
Intervention End Date
2026-09-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
1. Average cumulative earnings over a 12-month period from starting the trial;
2. Percentage of claimants who are earning over a 12-month period from starting the trial;
3. Average cumulative UC benefit receipt over a 12-month period from starting the trial;
4. Percentage of claimants who are in receipt of UC over a 12-month period from starting the trial.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
This trial tests at scale an alternative to the existing regime for UC Claimants in the Intensive Work Search (IWS) group, focussing on work search reviews (WSRs) delivered by Work Coaches, a core component of UC conditionality. Work Coaches in treatment Jobcentres were encouraged and given discretion to take a blended approach to the channel of WSRs with claimants by making greater use of telephone and video. Work Coaches in control Jobcentres deliver the business-as-usual approach, with face-to-face as the default channel of appointment.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
In office by a computer.
Randomization Unit
Jobcentre (site).
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
220
Sample size: planned number of observations
220,000 individual claimants.
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
110 Jobcentre sites in treatment, 110 Jobcentre sites in control.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
IRB Approval Date
IRB Approval Number
Analysis Plan