Universal Credit Work Search Review Frequency Trial

Last registered on January 05, 2026
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Universal Credit Work Search Review Frequency Trial
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0016318
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, 6:56 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
2024-10-02
End date
2026-12-31
Keywords
Labor, Welfare
Additional Keywords
JEL code(s)
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
The objective of this trial is to achieve an evidence-led segmentation of Universal Credit (UC) Intensive Work Search (IWS) claimants as a precursor to offering them a more efficient and better-tailored support offer. The trial will test offering IWS claimants fewer Work Search Review (WSR) meetings over the first 13 weeks of their IWS journey to determine which claimants (if any) achieve similar work outcomes despite receiving a lighter touch offer. We will conduct post-hoc segmentation analysis to determine which claimant characteristics predict suitability for fewer WSRs.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Woodell, Daniel. 2026. "Universal Credit Work Search Review Frequency Trial." AEA RCT Registry. January 05. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.16318-1.0
Sponsors & Partners
Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Intervention Start Date
2024-10-02
Intervention End Date
2026-12-31

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
The objective of this trial is to achieve an evidence-led segmentation of Universal Credit (UC) Intensive Work Search (IWS) claimants as a precursor to offering them a more efficient and better-tailored support offer. Claimants in the treatment group will receive fewer Work Search Review (WSR) meetings over the first 13 weeks of their IWS journey, compared to claimants in the control group, who will receive the current business-as-usual frequency.
Experimental Design Details
Not available
Randomization Method
Randomisation done digitally via Universal Credit system, based on a randomly generated claimant ID, as claimants enter the Intensive Work Search group.
Randomization Unit
Individual claimant level
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
290,000 individuals
Sample size: planned number of observations
290,000 individuals
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
145,000 individuals in treatment, 145,000 individuals 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