DWP issues big update over 'sanctions' coming for people who claim two benefits

James Rodger
·2-min read
DWP has warned people who claim the two benefits over "potential repercussions" if they fail to engage with efforts to get them back into work.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a major update over Universal Credit and Jobseekers Allowance sanctions under its Back to Work plan. The DWP has warned people who claim the two benefits over "potential repercussions" if they fail to engage with efforts to get them back into work.

The primary sanctionable offence is not adhering to the promises made in your claimant commitment. Claimants could also face sanctions if they fail to participate in them despite being instructed to do so by their work coach, the DWP has warned.

Claimants could still face sanctions based on their behaviour during participation, too. The guide highlighted: "If you’re asked to leave a scheme because of gross misconduct, such as stealing, violence or verbal abuse your benefit payments could be sanctioned."

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The lowest level sanction is failure to attend or take part in a Work-Focused Interview. The sanction lasts until the claimant attends or takes part in one, or moves to either the Working – no requirements or No Work Requirements conditionality regimes.

Low level sanctions last until the claimant does what they previously failed to do and were sanctioned for (for example, failing to attend a training course) or because either the requirement is no longer appropriate or an alternative compliance condition has been met, plus 7, 14 or 28 days for the first, second or third low level sanction in any 12-month period.

Medium level lasts 28 days for the first sanction in any 12 month period, and 91 days (approximately 3 months) for a second medium level sanction. Medium level sanctions apply, for example, where the claimant has to meet the work availability requirement, but has failed to be available to attend an interview or start work.

High level lasts for 91 days (approximately 3 months) for the first sanction in any 12-month period and 182 days (approximately 6 months) for a second high level sanction. High level sanctions apply, for example, where a claimant refuses the offer of a job.

The length of the sanction will be less than that stated above if the claimant is under the age of 18 at the point of the sanctionable failure.

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