{"id":550,"date":"2020-02-20T10:56:22","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T10:56:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ucpages.co.uk\/?page_id=550"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:05:19","slug":"ive-been-sanctioned","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ucpages.co.uk\/?page_id=550","title":{"rendered":"I’ve been sanctioned"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is a sanction?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you fail to do what you have agreed in your Claimant Commitment without good reason, your Universal Credit payments may be reduced for a set period. This is called a sanction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different levels of sanctions and they\u2019re decided based on the reason for the sanction. If you have had previous sanctions, this may mean new sanctions will be for a longer period.

If you claim Universal Credit as a couple and only one of you has been sanctioned, you will still see a reduction in your Universal Credit payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What can I do?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve been sanctioned for failing to keep to your Claimant Commitment, there are a number of things you can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Challenge the decision<\/strong>
    If you think the DWP have made a mistake, or you had a good reason for failing to do what was required, you can request a \u2018Mandatory Reconsideration\u2019 of the DWP\u2019s decision. There is no time limit to challenge a sanction \u2013 but it\u2019s best to do it as soon as possible. See below for more details and speak to a Benefits Adviser.

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  2. Apply for a Hardship Payment<\/strong>
    A hardship payment is a loan to help you out with your household expenses while you are being sanctioned. The amount you get is 60% of the Standard Allowance that applies to you – see below for more details.

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  3. Consider what other help you may need<\/strong>
    You may be able to apply for help from other places – see below.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    IMPORTANT: <\/strong>If the sanction notification says \u2018to end this sanction you need to complete this action\u2019 \u2013 then the sanction will last for as long as it takes you to complete the action required. So, if you are going to struggle to complete it, contact your Work Coach to explain why.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    What can you challenge?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your \u2018sanction notification\u2019 (posted on your journal or, if you have been allowed to be \u2018offline\u2019, in a letter) should tell you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n