Paying other assistance during a sanction

Clients are not entitled to the following forms of assistance when they have had a 100% benefit suspension or cancellation imposed due to an obligations failure:

• Accommodation Supplement
• Temporary Additional Support
• Special Benefit

The Winter Energy Payment is treated slightly different to other Extra help.

Winter Energy Payment can continue to be paid in situations where a portion of main benefit continues to be paid. In some cases it can continue to be paid at the full couple rate in cases where one client has been fully sanctioned.

Clients who have a dependent child, and who are getting Winter Energy Payment who are subject to a 100% suspension or cancellation have a maximum sanction of 50% of the total benefit imposed (including other Extra help). However, the full rate of Winter Energy Payment should continue to be paid.

Sole parents also have a maximum sanction of 50% of the total benefit imposed but like other Extra help, will continue to get the total amount of the Winter Energy Payment, regardless of the grade of the sanction.

Clients are not entitled to Special Needs Grants if a sanction has been imposed. This applies to both financial and non-financial sanctions.

The only exception to this is if a client or partner has a health condition, injury or disability when a grade 3 sanction is imposed and they are incapable of participating in full-time employment or an approved activity for 6 weeks.

For more information see:

• Special Needs Grants Assistance during non-entitlement periods
• Special Needs Grants Assistance when a client is sanctioned

Clients are not entitled to Emergency Housing Grants if a sanction has been imposed. This applies to both financial and non-financial sanctions.

For more information see:

• When MSD cannot pay an Emergency Housing Grant

If a client or partner has a 50% sanction imposed, and the client or partner is experiencing hardship they may apply for an Advance Payment of Benefit. A discussion must be held with the client or partner about recomplying as the reduced rate of benefit will be contributing to their hardship.

Generally clients will not be entitled to an Advance Payment of Benefit when they have a 100% sanction imposed. This is because they will be contributing to their hardship through not recomplying. The client's first option to improve their financial situation is to recomply with their obligations and an advance cannot be paid when the client or partner has no means of repaying it.

A client can apply for an Advance Payment of Benefit if they have a non-financial sanction imposed, and may be eligible if they meet all the criteria.

Clients can get assistance to transition into employment if a sanction has been imposed and they meet the qualifications for it.

For more information see:

• Transition to Work [no link find out why]

Where a young partner has an obligations failure, the assistance that is available to them depends on the failure number and whether the young partner is youth money managed or not.

For more information see:

Clients can get Work Bonus if a sanction has been imposed and they meet the qualifications for it.

For more information see:

• Specific employment-related assistance Work Bonus