MILLIONS of people get a boost to their income from benefits, and over 5million are on Universal Credit.
But you could have payments stopped if you don’t follow the rules, so it pays to know how they work.
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Your Universal Credit can be stopped for a number of reasons, including if you fail to search for work, or don’t turn up to an appointment.
Under tougher rules introduced in February there are now stricter penalties if you don’t accept a job offer.
You can lose some or all of your benefits under what’s known as sanctions, but the most severe consequences are for repeat offenders.
Being sanctioned means you’ll have less to live on, so it helps to understand when this can happen and why.
Here we explain the reasons your Universal Credit can be reduced or stopped altogether and how to appeal a sanction.
Plus, there’s help out there if sanctions have left you unable to afford essentials.
How much money you’ll lose depends on the reason and if you’ve been sanctioned before.
Sanctions are split into four categories; lowest level, low level, medium level, and high level.
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The penalty only applies to the standard element of your claim. Any extra cash you get through the housing or childcare elements will still be paid.
Not doing enough to look for work
In order to claim the benefit, you’ll need to agree to a Claim Commitment.
This is a list of things you promised to do in exchange for financial support.
Part of the commitment includes spending 35 hours a week looking for work, which you will need to keep a record of doing to show your work coach.
If your Jobcentre work coach doesn’t feel you’re doing enough to get back into work you can be sanctioned.
Not applying for work
If you aren’t even bothering to apply for work despite claiming unemployment support, you may have your benefits cut.
This is because under the commitments you agree to apply for jobs to get you back into work.
Refusing a job offer
If you’ve been offered a job, Universal Credit claimants are expected to accept it as long as it’s within reason.
This is because the benefit system will support you while you’re out of work and help you find a job again.
Refusing a job offer just because you don’t want it will see you sanctioned at the highest level.
Not taking a job in a different sector
A new rule now in place means you’ll have less time to accept a job offer.
Previously benefits claimants could spend three months specifically trying to get a role that they have previous experience for.
That has been slashed to four weeks after which time Brits will be expected to accept alternative offers of employment in any sector.
Being late for Jobcentre appointments and interviews
Often, you’ll be required to attend interviews and appointments with the Jobcentre, such as updating them on your commitments to find work.
These are held face to face or can be over the phone or via video chat.
If there’s a good reason why you can’t attend a meeting then you should let the Jobcentre know immediately.
Claimants who fail to turn up to a meeting will be sanctioned until they attend another review.
If they’ve repeatedly missed meetings the sanctions may be stricter and last longer.
Failing to update your information
The amount of Universal Credit you are entitled to depends on many factors surrounding your individual circumstances, such as how many hours you work and how many children you have.
Failing to report a change in circumstances, such as moving house or getting a new job, could see you sanctioned.
In the worst cases, you may be committing benefit fraud and could even face legal action.
You quit work without good reason
Employees on a low income can get help with living costs through Universal Credit.
But if you quit work without a good reason you may see your benefits reduced.
There’s no set definition of what a good reason is, but it might include unaffordable childcare costs.
Can I appeal a sanction?
If you think you’ve been sanctioned unfairly you can contact the DWP and ask for a “mandatory reconsideration”.
You have one month from when you were notified about the sanction to do so.
If you’ve been sanctioned unfairly, the first thing you must do is check the level of sanction and for how long your money has been reduced.
You’ll then need to contact the DWP for a mandatory reconsideration if you think they’ve made the wrong decision.
Citizens Advice says you should have been told:
- Why you’ve received a sanction
- The level of sanction you’ve been given
- How long the sanction will last
- How much money will be taken away from your Universal Credit payment
- The date the sanction decision was made
For most benefits, you have one month from when you were notified about the sanction to apply for a mandatory reconsideration.
However, it is still worth applying for one should you have missed the deadline for a good reason, such as being in hospital.
There are several ways you can apply for a mandatory reconsideration – just remember to include as much supporting evidence as possible.
If you have an online Universal Credit account, you can write a message to the DWP explaining why you disagree with the decision.
You can also print off and fill out the CRMR1 mandatory reconsideration request form on GOV.uk but remember to allow time for your letter to get to the DWP ahead of your deadline window.
You can also call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
Letters should be sent to DWP Complaints, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 2GY.
What if I don’t agree with the decision?
If you disagree with the decision of your mandatory reconsideration you can appeal to a First-Tier tribunal.
Claimants have one month to do this, although this is extended to 13 months for exceptional circumstances.
You’ll need to download and fill in the SSCS1 form from the HM Courts and Tribunals Service website.
The form will ask for you:
- Name and contact details
- National Insurance number
- Reasons for appealing
Send this, along with the outcome of your mandatory reconsideration of which you should have received two copies, to:
HMCTS Appeals Centre, PO Box 1203, Bradford, BD1 9WP.
The DWP will be asked to respond to your appeal within 28 days
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