Benefit sanctions: how to survive and challenge them

A benefit sanction reduces or stops your payments for a set period. If you've been sanctioned, you have the right to challenge it — and you may qualify for hardship payments in the meantime.

What is a sanction?

Your payment is reduced for:

Sanction periods range from **7 days to 26 weeks** depending on the offence and whether it's a first or repeated sanction.

Immediate help: hardship payments

You can apply for **hardship payments** — 60% of your standard allowance paid while you're sanctioned. To qualify:

Apply through your Jobcentre work coach.

Challenging a sanction

Step 1: Mandatory reconsideration

Ask the DWP to reconsider within **one month**. Call the number on your sanction letter or ask your work coach. State clearly why the sanction is wrong — common reasons:

Step 2: Appeal to tribunal

If the mandatory reconsideration fails, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Success rates are high — around **65% of sanctions appeals succeed**.

Good reasons for missing commitments

These should prevent a sanction:

Keep evidence — appointment letters, doctor's notes, receipts.

Prevention

Free advice: Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848) specialise in sanctions challenges.