Avoiding (and challenging) sanctions

A sanction means DWP stops part or all of your UC for a period because they say you didn’t do something in your Claimant Commitment. This page explains how sanctions actually work, what "good reason" means, and how to keep records that protect you.

The single most important thing

If something gets in the way, tell your work coach before the deadline — in your journal, in writing. A flagged and explained problem is "good reason"; the same problem reported after you’ve missed the deadline is the sanction.

Why sanctions happen

DWP use four levels. From least to most serious:

  • Lowest level — failing to attend a Work-Focused Interview without good reason (the only thing required of you if you’re in the "interview only" group).
  • Low level — not doing a specific work-related action you agreed to (a job application, a course, attending the Jobcentre for an appointment).
  • Medium level — failing to take "all reasonable action" to find work, or not being available for work, without good reason.
  • Higher level — refusing a job offer, leaving a job voluntarily, losing a job through misconduct.

A sanction starts with a "sanction referral" — your work coach refers it to a decision-maker. You should get a letter and a chance to give your reasons in writing before they decide. Always do that — don’t wait.

"Good reason" — what counts

If you can show "good reason" for whatever happened, the sanction shouldn’t apply. The law doesn’t list good reasons — it’s case-by-case — but examples that work:

  • Illness — yours, your child’s, a person you care for. A fit note or any medical evidence helps.
  • Childcare breakdown — your usual childcare fell through and there wasn’t a realistic alternative.
  • A bereavement, domestic emergency, court appearance.
  • Job interview clashing with the appointment — go to the interview; tell the Jobcentre as soon as you can.
  • Transport failure outside your control — train cancellation, bus strike.
  • You didn’t actually receive the letter / message about the appointment in time.
  • You misunderstood what was being asked — if the requirement was unclear, say so.

"I forgot" alone isn’t usually accepted, but a mental health condition that affects memory or executive function is — get a letter from a GP or specialist.

How long sanctions last
  • Lowest level — runs only until you contact DWP to rearrange the missed Work-Focused Interview. No fixed extra period.
  • Low level — until you do the thing you were asked to do, plus a fixed period of 7, 14 or 28 days depending on whether you’ve had a similar sanction in the last year.
  • Medium level — fixed 28 days for a first sanction, 91 days if you’ve had another medium or higher sanction in the last year.
  • Higher level — fixed 91 days for a first sanction, 182 days (26 weeks) if you’ve had another higher sanction in the last year. The old maximum of 3 years was abolished in 2019.

The sanction amount comes off your standard allowance, not your housing or child elements — those continue. But it’s still a significant cut.

If you’re facing real hardship, ask about a hardship payment — around 60% of the sanctioned amount. It’s a loan; it’s repaid from later UC. Apply through your journal.

Challenging a sanction

If you get a sanction decision you disagree with:

  1. Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) — within 1 month, ask DWP to look again. Explain why the decision is wrong; send any evidence you didn’t before. You can do this in your journal or by phoning the UC helpline. Always do an MR — it costs nothing and a chunk of sanctions are overturned at this stage.
  2. Appeal to a tribunal — if the MR doesn’t fix it, you can appeal to an independent tribunal within 1 month. Free, no lawyers needed, usually decided on the papers or by short hearing. Citizens Advice or a welfare rights service can help you write the appeal.
  3. Complain — if a coach treated you badly, you can complain separately, and that doesn’t affect your appeal.

Tribunals overturn a meaningful share of sanctions — don’t give up at the first "no". Get advice.

Records that protect you

Sanctions are usually decided on what’s in writing. So:

  • Use the UC journal for anything that matters. It’s timestamped and DWP can’t deny receiving it.
  • Tell DWP about changes (health, caring, address, hours worked) the same day. It’s a requirement, and it doubles as evidence later.
  • Keep your work-search log up to date — see the work-search guide.
  • Save copies of fit notes and medical letters — and tell DWP about them in the journal.
  • Save the wording of your Claimant Commitment. If a sanction relies on a requirement that wasn’t actually in the commitment, that’s a strong challenge.

If you’re struggling — get help fast

Sanctions hit people who are already struggling — and they make the next few weeks much harder. Don’t deal with it alone:

  • Citizens Advice Help to Claim — free, by phone or in person.
  • A local welfare rights service — your council, advice agency, or law centre.
  • If you can’t afford food or essentials, ask DWP about a hardship payment; ask your council about a discretionary housing payment if you’re behind on rent; and look up your local food bank.
  • Tessolari community for moral support and practical tips from people who’ve been there.

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