Sanctions for single clients without dependent children

A first obligations failure means the client's benefit is reduced by 50%, unless they have a non-financial sanction imposed.

For more information on non-financial sanctions see:

• Non-financial sanctions

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

If the client has not recomplied within 4 weeks, they will have their benefit suspended along with all Extra help (including Winter Energy Payment).

Their benefit will remain suspended until they recomply or the payment 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 obligations.

A second obligations failure means the client's benefit is suspended. When their benefit is suspended, any Extra help the client was getting is also suspended. Winter Energy Payment cannot continue to be paid as the client is not getting a qualifying benefit.

Their benefit will remain suspended until they recomply or the payment 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 obligations.

A third obligations failure means the client's benefit is cancelled and they are subject to a non-entitlement period for 13 weeks. The client may get a provisional benefit if they start a 6-week approved activity or programme of activities.

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

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.