Sanctions for a couple without dependent children - both fail their obligations

If both partners fail their obligations for the first time, each person's portion of the benefit is reduced by 50% unless they have a non-financial sanction imposed.

For more information on non-financial sanctions see:

• Non-financial sanctions

The couple will continue to get a total of 50% of the married rate.

While their benefit is reduced, the couple can continue to get Extra help. Winter Energy Payment can continue to be paid as the client is still getting a qualifying benefit.

If either partner has not recomplied within 4 weeks, they will have their portion of the benefit and Extra help suspended. Winter Energy Payment cannot continue to be paid to the client who has not recomplied as they are not getting a qualifying benefit.

Their benefit will remain suspended until they recomply or their portion of the benefit is automatically cancelled after 13 weeks.

Note if a client has more than one obligation failure initiated on the same day, only one sanction can be imposed on the client. For the sanction to be lifted, the client must successfully dispute or recomply with all the obligation failures.

If both partners fail their obligations for the second time, each person's portion of the benefit is suspended. While the benefit is suspended, the couple's Extra help is also suspended. Winter Energy Payment cannot continue to be paid as they are not getting a qualifying benefit.

Their benefit will remain suspended until they recomply or their portion of the benefit is automatically cancelled after 13 weeks.

Note if a client has more than one obligation failure initiated on the same day, only one sanction can be imposed on the client. For the sanction to be lifted, the client must successfully dispute or recomply with all the obligation failures.

If both partners fail their obligations for a third time, each person's portion of the benefit is cancelled. They are subject to a non-entitlement period for a period of 13 weeks. The client may get a provisional benefit if they start a 6-week approved activity or programme of activities.

If they have not started a 6-week approved activity or programme of activities, they may reapply at the end of the non-entitlement period to get a benefit.

When the client's benefit is cancelled, Extra help is also cancelled. Winter Energy Payment cannot continue to be paid as they are not getting a qualifying benefit.

The effect of a sanction on a young partner's assistance depends on whether the client has children, and is youth money managed or not.

For more information see:

• Recompliance