Tens of thousands of Universal Credit claimants had their benefits stopped or reduced over just a four-week period, new government figures show.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reported that 116,015 people on Universal Credit were sanctioned in February — up from 109,755 in January, marking the highest level since November 2023.
The data reveals that 5.5% of claimants who could be sanctioned were hit with penalties, compared to 5.4% the previous month.
Sanctions are issued when claimants fail to meet their Claimant Commitment — a contract listing their responsibilities in order to receive benefits. This includes attending JobCentre appointments, actively searching for %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_0%%, and maintaining an up-to-date CV.
What is a Universal Credit sanction?
Sanctions can result in daily deductions from a claimant's standard allowance or complete stoppage of payments. The severity and duration of a sanction depend on the reason for the breach and the claimant's age or circumstances.
Examples of daily deductions:
- £13.10/day: Single %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_1%% over 25
- £10.40/day: Single person under 25
- 40% deduction: Claimants aged 16-17
Additional payments such as carer’s allowance %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_2%% unaffected during a sanction.
Why sanctions are issued:
There are four %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_3%% — lowest, low, medium, and high. Reasons include:
- Not applying for %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_4%%
- Failing to attend interviews or work-focused activities
- Not being %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_5%% or making efforts for better-paid work
How to appeal a sanction:
Claimants can challenge a sanction by requesting a mandatory reconsideration within one month of receiving the decision. You can %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_6%%:
- Via your Universal Credit %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_7%% account
- Using the CRMR1 form on %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_8%%
- By calling 0800 328 5644
- Or writing to:
DWP Complaints, Post Handling Site B, %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_9%%, WV99 2GY
If you %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_10%% the one-month deadline due to extenuating circumstances like illness or hospitalisation, it may still be possible to appeal.
Citizens Advice says you should have %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_11%% full details of your sanction, including the reason, length, and how much money is affected.
