Tens of thousands of Universal Credit claimants had their benefits stopped or reduced over just a four-week period, new government figures show.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reported that 116,015 people on Universal Credit were sanctioned in February — up from 109,755 in January, marking the highest level since November 2023.
The data reveals that 5.5% of claimants who could be sanctioned were hit with penalties, compared to 5.4% the previous month.
Sanctions are issued when claimants fail to meet their Claimant Commitment — a contract listing their responsibilities in order to receive benefits. This includes attending JobCentre appointments, actively searching for work, and maintaining an up-to-date CV.
What is a Universal Credit sanction?
Sanctions can result in daily deductions from a claimant’s standard allowance or complete stoppage of payments. The severity and duration of a sanction depend on the reason for the breach and the claimant’s age or circumstances.
Examples of daily deductions:
- £13.10/day: Single person over 25
- £10.40/day: Single person under 25
- 40% deduction: Claimants aged 16-17
Additional payments such as carer’s allowance remain unaffected during a sanction.
Why sanctions are issued:
There are four levels — lowest, low, medium, and high. Reasons include:
- Not applying for jobs or losing one due to misconduct
- Failing to attend interviews or work-focused activities
- Not being available or making efforts for better-paid work
How to appeal a sanction:
Claimants can challenge a sanction by requesting a mandatory reconsideration within one month of receiving the decision. You can appeal:
- Via your Universal Credit online account
- Using the CRMR1 form on Gov.uk
- By calling 0800 328 5644
- Or writing to:
DWP Complaints, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 2GY
If you miss the one-month deadline due to extenuating circumstances like illness or hospitalisation, it may still be possible to appeal.
Citizens Advice says you should have received full details of your sanction, including the reason, length, and how much money is affected.
