Notice to clients with sanctions, suspended or expired benefit

If a client has a suspended or expired benefit they will not be sent the 'initial notice to reapply' letter. This is because they are not currently getting a benefit.

If a client's Sole Parent Support is resumed during the notice period, they must be advised about their upcoming expiry date and what they need to do to complete the 52 week reapplication process before the expiry date.

MSD should consider whether the client will be able to complete the reapplication process before their expiry date and if an extension may be appropriate.

For more information see:

• Resuming suspended or expired benefit
• Situations where extensions can be given

Note if the client's benefit is resumed before the 'reminder to reapply' letter is due to be sent, the client will be sent this letter 7 working days before their expiry date.

Clients that have a financial sanction imposed will be sent the initial 'notice to reapply' letter and must complete the 52 week reapplication process before their expiry date or their benefit will stop.

This is because when a client getting Sole Parent Support fails their obligations and has a financial sanction imposed, their benefit is current because 50% protection applies. 

Clients who have not yet completed a recompliance activity are still able to complete the reapplication process. During the reapplication appointment MSD should also discuss the activity that the client failed to undertake or complete. A client should be encouraged to recomply as soon as possible.

Note if the client completes the reapplication process before their expiry date and their Sole Parent Support is regranted, the sanction will continue to apply to the regranted benefit until they recomply.