Help to request a mandatory reconsideration, appeal a sanction, or use complaint procedures

Avoid or challenge a Universal Credit sanction

A sanction is what the DWP calls it when they reduce or stop your benefit payment for a period of time if you don’t meet certain conditions. This guide explains more about DWP sanctions, what happens when you are sanctioned, helps you to plan ahead to avoid a benefit sanction where possible, and if not, shows you how to challenge a sanction. Always challenge an unfair sanction. 81% of appeals about benefit sanctions are won by the claimant.
How to avoid and deal with sanctions

If you are ill and cannot attend the Jobcentre in person, get in touch with your work coach as soon as possible. Jobcentre appointments can be carried out by phone so unless you are too ill to answer or have another good reason, you can still be sanctioned if you miss a telephone appointment.

If you need help with the online appeal form when you appeal your sanction, you can get help from We Are Group. Read this guide for advice on what to say when you ask for an appeal. Find out more about how We Are Group can help.

If the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) thinks that you have not met the conditions for your benefit, they can reduce or stop your benefit for a period of time. This is called a ‘sanction’. 

The sanction system is different depending on which benefit you get. In this guide we focus on the sanctions that you can get if you claim Universal Credit (UC), but the techniques for dealing with sanctions will also be useful for Job seekers Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance sanctions.

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What are benefits sanctions?

A benefit sanction is what the DWP calls it when they reduce or stop your benefit payment for a period of time. This might be because you missed an appointment with your work coach, or an interview, or some other reason.

The benefits system is a bit like a contract. The government expects people claiming benefits such as Universal Credit (UC) to meet certain work-related conditions which are set out in your ‘Claimant Commitment’. The government pays benefits in return for you doing what your Claimant Commitment says you will do. If you don’t, then the Jobcentre can sanction you.

Reasons for getting sanctioned

There are four levels of sanctions. The sanction you get depends on what conditions are in your Claimant Commitment and what the Jobcentre thinks you have failed to do.

You can get the lowest level of sanction if:

  • Your only condition is to attend or take part in a work focused interview - an appointment with your work coach to discuss work, and you don’t do it.

You can get a low level sanction for:

  • Missing or not participating in an in person or telephone appointment with a work coach.

  • Refusing to take part in a training course or not co-operating on a training course.

    • Not confirming that you’ve carried out work-related activities or not providing information that’s relevant to them.
    • Not doing something else in your Claimant Commitment to get work or increase your earnings.

    You can get a medium level sanction for:

    • Not taking all reasonable action to find paid work or increase your earnings.
    • Not being available to start work or attend interviews.
    You can get a high level sanction for:
    • Leaving a job voluntarily.
    • Losing a job because of your behaviour.
    • Not applying for a job that the Jobcentre expected you to apply for.
    • Not taking up a job that was offered to you.
    • Losing pay if you are in paid work without a good reason.

    Have a look at these examples of why other people got sanctioned.

    Nula

    I was waiting for the bus to take me to an interview with my work coach. The bus never came and so I missed the appointment. I was sanctioned and my Universal Credit is reduced for ten days. I claim jointly with my partner, so we still have his money. But it’s not enough for us to live on.

    Carys

    I lost my place on a work programme because I was late twice – I have depression and mornings are a very difficult time for me – I just couldn’t get there on time. I was sanctioned and my Universal Credit was reduced for 37 days.
     

    Farad

    My work coach gave me a list of jobs to apply for. I applied for them all but she didn’t believe me. I was sanctioned and my Universal Credit was reduced for 28 days. The work coach warned me that if I did it again, I would lose my benefit for 91 days.
     

    Amani

    I couldn’t go on a training scheme because it started before I could drop my children off at school. This is the second time this year this has happened. Last time my Universal Credit was reduced for 21 days. This time they have reduced it for 28 days.

    So, if the Jobcentre accuses you of missing a telephone appointment, not turning up for a meeting, not applying for a job, not attending an interview, not taking part in an employment or training scheme or not accepting a job that you have been offered, you might be sanctioned.

    How long do sanctions last?

    How long a sanction will last depends on a number of different things, like what level of sanction you have been given and whether you have been sanctioned before. According to the DWP the average length of time for a Universal Credit sanction is 29 days, although they can run for much longer than that. Some Universal Credit sanctions last until you comply with the thing you were sanctioned for. Unless you only have to attend work-focused interviews, a fixed period will be added to these sanction periods too. See Have you been sanctioned for the right length of time for more help.

    Will my partner’s benefit be sanctioned too?

    Universal Credit is paid jointly when you live with a partner. If only one of you is sanctioned, the sanction will affect part of your benefit (not the part that applies to your partner), but as Universal Credit is your joint income the reduction in benefit will affect you both. If both you and your partner are sanctioned at the same time, and you are claiming Universal Credit jointly, you’ll see a bigger reduction. 

    Will all my Universal Credit be stopped?

    The sanction doesn’t affect other amounts in your UC, so if you get amounts for children, housing or other circumstances, these parts will still be paid to you.

    How to avoid being sanctioned
    There are four main types of things you can do to avoid getting sanctioned:
    1. Make sure that you understand your Claimant Commitment and other ‘work-related responsibilities’. If you don’t have one or can’t find it, make sure you ask for a copy from your Jobcentre as soon as possible. 
    2. Make sure your Claimant Commitment reflects your circumstances.
    3. Avoid doing or not doing things that break your Claimant Commitment.
    4. Be really organised and keep records of your dealings with the Jobcentre and everything you do to meet the terms of your Claimant Commitment.

    Figures from the DWP show that most decisions to sanction people relate to situations where the DWP think someone hasn’t attended or engaged with a mandatory interview. So, attending these meetings should be a very high priority for you.

    Below we explain more about each of these things you can do to avoid a sanction.

    Make sure you understand your Claimant Commitment and other work-related requirements

    ‘Work-related requirements’ are things you might be asked to do to prepare for or get work. Mostly they will be set out in your Claimant Commitment.

    Your Claimant Commitment is a record of the things you have agreed to do in return for getting benefit. For example, taking part in meetings with your work coach, applying for the jobs you are told to apply for, attending interviews and taking any work within a certain travelling time from your home. If you don’t do these things or can’t prove that you have done them, you could get sanctioned.

    So, it is really important that you understand what the Jobcentre expects you to do.

    • Don’t be afraid to ask your work coach (sometimes also called 'Jobcentre adviser') to explain anything that is unclear.
    • Read your Claimant Commitment, letters from the Jobcentre, or notes in your Universal Credit online journal carefully and as soon as you get them. If they contain mistakes or leave out something important, report it straight away. You can report it in your online journal, by ringing Universal Credit, in writing, or in person at the Jobcentre. This will help to avoid problems later.

    Make sure your Claimant Commitment reflects your circumstances

    Make sure that your Claimant Commitment reflects the things that reduce or change your availability for work or certain types of work. For example:

    • a health condition or illness,
    • a disability,
    • child care or other caring responsibilities,
    • recent experience of domestic abuse or bereavement.

    If you have difficult personal circumstances, or need extra support, what the DWP call ‘complex needs’ for any reason, for example:

    • a disability,
    • being ex armed forces,
    • a former prisoner,
    • not having English or Welsh as a first language, or
    • being a care leaver

    Make sure that this is recorded because this can give you extra protection from being sanctioned. These circumstances should be reflected in your Claimant Commitment too. So make sure you tell your work coach everything relevant in your history and circumstances so that you get the right support.

    If you don’t feel your Claimant Commitment is right, use your online journal, call the helpline, write a letter to the Jobcentre or speak to your work coach to explain how your everyday activities and your ability to be available for work are affected.

    If things change, for example, you get new caring responsibilities or your mental health condition gets worse, make sure you ask the Jobcentre to make changes to your Claimant Commitment.

    Keep a record of communication between you and the Jobcentre or other DWP staff. For example, take screenshots of your journal to see what messages you received and sent. Keep a copy of any letters and make a note of any calls – time, date, who you spoke to and what was said. 

    Remember, you can ask for a review of your Claimant Commitment at any time.

    Don’t risk breaking the terms of your Claimant Commitment

    If you don’t do the things that you agreed to in your Claimant Commitment you might lose benefit. And reasons for not being able to do something, or being late, that people understand in everyday life, might not cut it with the Jobcentre.

    Here are some tips on how to avoid the risk of breaking your Claimant Commitment:

    If you have to attend an interview to avoid a sanction that should be clearly explained to you in advance. If it is not explained, then you should not be sanctioned, and if you are sanctioned, you should challenge it.

    • The DWP say that the majority of Universal Credit sanctions are for missing an interview with your work coach. There are different types of interviews. So, do everything you can to attend those meetings.
    • Tell the Jobcentre or report it in your online journal as soon as possible if there is a problem with something they are expecting you to do, like going to an adviser interview – don’t leave it until the last minute! It is very easy to get upset and angry. But try and stay calm.
    • Try your best to avoid being late. If your lateness is caused by problems with public transport, make sure you document it by keeping any transport receipts or tickets. If you can, call ahead or  send a message using your online journal to let your work coach know you are running late. It's a good idea to take screenshots of your journal so you can prove that you told the Jobcentre about any problems attending appointments.
    • Take care when applying for jobs. Mistakes you make at this point, like, for example, not completing an application form correctly, can cause you problems later.
    • Don’t leave your current job without ‘good reason’. Leaving because of unpaid wages, bullying, harassment or discrimination should be accepted as a good reason – but you may need evidence to support what you say. Useful proof would include emails or letters from you asking your employer to improve or change your conditions of work or sort out a problem, or proof that you got some employment advice.
    • If you think you might need to leave a job tell the Jobcentre the reasons why in advance.

    Be organised and keep records

    You don’t just have to do what you agreed to do in your Claimant Commitment – you have to be able to prove that you did it. That’s why it is really important to be organised.

    Here are our record-keeping tips for backing up your Claimant Commitment activities:

    • Keep an accurate record of your job search and Find a Job (the governement website for job seekers) activity. Take screenshots or photos if online.
    • Keep copies and duplicates in case things get lost. Take screenshots or photos of messages you put on your Universal Credit online journal.
    • Keep every email you get from potential employers about dates and times of job interviews and the result.
    • Keep copies of any letters you send.
    • Make sure you know how to find the call record in your mobile phone. Or if you get itemised phone bills, keep them. They can provide proof, if you need it, that you answered the phone, or even that the phone did not ring when the Jobcentre said they would call you.
    • Make a note about calls to and from the Jobcentre - who you spoke to, what time, and what was agreed.
    • Keep anything the Jobcentre or training programme gives or sends you.
    Tips for avoiding sanctions

    Tips for avoiding sanctions if you have a health problem:

    • Make sure your work coach knows about your health problems.
    • If possible, get a letter from your GP explaining them and give the Jobcentre a copy.
    • Make sure your work coach knows what effect your health problems have on the work or training you can or cannot do. Your situation should be recorded by the DWP so that if you’re vulnerable, they go through extra steps before sanctioning you.
    • Make a note on your Universal Credit journal or upload a letter. Repeat what you told them including the name of the adviser you told and the date and time. Take a screenshot or photo of your journal in case you need to prove what you told the Jobcentre and when.
    • Make sure your Claimant Commitment includes any difficulties you have with work or training.
    • You may want to talk to your work coach about being referred for a work capability assessment. The outcome of the assessment could change what you are expected to do to get your Universal Credit. Whilst you are waiting for the outcome, your work-related requirements may be reduced, but this is up to your work coach.
    • Make a note on your Universal Credit online journal, including the name of the work coach you told and the date and time. Take a screenshot or a photo in case you need to prove what you told the Jobcentre and when.
    • Make sure your Claimant Commitment includes any limitations on the work or training you can do.

    Tips for avoiding sanctions if you have caring responsibilities:

    • Make sure your work coach knows if you care for children or an older or disabled person, what benefits they get and how many hours you spend caring – it may mean that you don’t have any work-related conditions.
    • Make sure your work coach knows what effect your caring responsibilities have on you.
    • Make a note on your Universal Credit online journal, including the name of the work coach you told and the date and time. Take a screenshot or a photo in case you need to prove what you told the Jobcentre and when.
    • Make sure your Claimant Commitment includes any limitations on the work or training you can do.

    How can Maya avoid being sanctioned?

    I am on tablets for my anxiety. I’ve got interview with my work coach this week at the Jobcentre, but I don’t think I can make it. I had a panic attack yesterday at the thought of having to travel there on my own. I just stayed indoors all day with the curtains shut.

    See if a family member or friend can travel with her to and from the interview.YES
    Ask her GP if they will confirm she has a genuine problem and what the coping strategies are that may help.YES
    Make sure her health condition is noted in her Claimant Commitment and includes any problems she has with attending interviews, work or training.YES
    Write a note in her Universal Credit online journal explaining what happened when she experienced anxiety about the appointment, and upload any evidence.YES
    Do nothing – just don’t go.NO

    It’s hard when you experience anxiety, but if Maya does all she can to explain the situation to the Jobcentre, and to get her GP to confirm the situation, hopefully she will avoid a sanction.

    We hope this guide helps you to avoid getting sanctioned in the first place. But if you have been sanctioned the next section will help you sort it out.

    What to do if you get a Universal Credit sanction

    If you are sanctioned and lose your benefit there are still things you can do. Next, we look at how to challenge a sanction and how to get by.

    Be aware! If you get sanctioned, keep doing the things you are expected to do, including applying for jobs,attending appointments and all the other things in your Claimant Commitment. If you can, do the thing you got sanctioned for not doing. Otherwise you could get sanctioned for longer.

    Challenging a sanction


    If you feel you have been sanctioned unfairly, you can and you should challenge it. You may be able to challenge the length of the sanction or the decision to sanction you at all.

    Challenging a sanction can take time and energy that you may feel you haven’t got. But you may get a lot of benefit back.

    It is usually best to start the process of asking the DWP to reconsider their decision (a mandatory reconsideration) before or at the same time as making a complaint. If you think you might have been discriminated against get advice quickly, as there are time limits for taking a claim.

    There are different ways of challenging a sanction:

    • ‘Mandatory reconsideration’ and then appeal.
    • Making a complaint.
    • Taking a case to court if you were discriminated against because of your ethinicity or disability.

    Challenging a sanction won’t mean they pay you while you wait for the decision, but it is worth doing anyway. However, you may be able to claim a hardship payment or other benefits.

    ‘Mandatory reconsideration’, then appeal

    When you ask the DWP to look again at the decision to sanction you, this is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’. You have to do this before you can appeal.

    The process

    Below we outline the process to give you an overview of what it looks like. Then we explain what to do in more detail in the next section.

    • Step 1 - You get a notification telling you that you have been sanctioned.


    The DWP will look at your reasons, and any other evidence they have, to see if they will change the decision.
    • Step 3 – The DWP will send you two copies of their reconsideration decision.

    You will need the second copy if you wish to appeal. If their decision has been changed and you are happy with it, you can stop here.

    But if it hasn’t, don’t be put off. Most people win when they appeal. You have one month to ask for an appeal. And if you miss the one-month deadline it is still worth appealing anyway - late appeals are allowed within 13 months if you have a good reason for the delay. Be aware that more decisions are changed at the appeal stage than at mandatory reconsideration.

    •  Step 5 – The DWP should send both you and the Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), - who will organise the appeal hearing, an explanation of why they gave you the sanctions that they did. Don’t be put off by this. You might still have good reasons for what happenend or the DWP may not have informed you properly about what you had to do.
    •  Step 6 - You need to prepare for your appeal and, if you can, send in more information or evidence
    •  Step 7 - You will be told the date of the hearing, if you have asked for one. If you have any further information or evidence that you haven’t yet sent, send it now.  You can choose to have your appeal decided just on the evidence you send in, without speaking to you – this is sometimes called a ‘paper hearing’. This might seem less stressful, but there is usually a higher chance of success if you have an oral hearing where you speak to a judge and can explain the difficulties you had. This might be a telephone, video or face-to-face hearing. 
    • Step 8 - Your appeal will be heard by an independent judge. This is called the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. You might also hear it referred to as the First Tier Tribunal. In Northern Ireland your appeal is heard by a Legally Qualified Member. They will make a new decision. See page What to expect at the hearing and What to do on the day for more information.

    If you are successful, you will usually receive your money in 4-6 weeks. If it takes longer than this, it may be because the DWP are appealing to the upper tribunal. Try to get advice if this happens.

    Next, we go into more detail about each of the above steps, to help you through the process.

    When to ask the DWP for a mandatory reconsideration
    Ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of being given the sanction if you can.

    Act quickly – and get advice if you can. If you cannot, follow this guide. 

    If you miss the one month deadline you can and should still ask for a mandatory reconsideration. But you should give reasons for requesting it after the deadline. A good reason might be that you didn’t understand that you could challenge the decision until today, or that you needed someone’s help and didn’t get that until now, or that being sanctioned had such a serious impact on your mental health you were not capable of asking for a mandatory reconsideration earlier. 

    Your request will likely be accepted if it is less than 13 months of since the decision. If it is more than 13 months, ask for an ’any time revision’ in your letter. Explain that you did not know you could challenge the decision until now.

    How to ask the DWP for a mandatory reconsideration
    You can ask the DWP to reconsider the decision to sanction you at any time if your Universal Credit is sanctioned. If the sanction relates to another benefit such as Employment and Support Allowance you need to act quickly – get advice. You can ask in writing, in your online journal if you have one, on the phone or in person. It is best to do it in writing if you can because that way you have proof of your request and the date you made it. If you are not doing it via your online journal, make sure to keep a copy.

    Look at the letter or the notification in your online account telling you about the sanction. It should tell you how to go about challenging the decision. It should also include the reason for your sanction, how long it will last and how much money is being stopped. If not, ask for that information. There may be more than one letter about the sanction so make sure you have all the information you need, and ask the Jobcentre for it if they haven’t supplied it.

    In your mandatory reconsideration request letter explain why you think the decision is unfair or wrong. For example, because:

    • The Jobcentre says you failed to do something, but you did do it.
    • You have a good reason for what you did or didn’t do - for example if you did not attend an appointment or apply for enough jobs because your mental health had deteriorated. Or if you have mobility issues or live a long way from the jobcentre and were unable to travel to an appointment because of an unusual problem with public transport..
    • The Jobcentre didn’t explain to you properly what you had to do, or what would happen if you didn’t do it.
    • You have been sanctioned for something you weren’t asked to do.
    • You have been sanctioned for failing to do something that was unreasonable – for example, if your work coach knew you had to take a young child to school which should have been reflected in your Claimant Commitment and then asked you to attend an appointment at 8:50am.
    • You have been given the wrong sanction (check you’ve been given the right sanction.)

    You will need to send copies of evidence to support what you say. See Be organised and keep records.

    Try not to put it off. It doesn’t need to be long, and you don’t have to use the ‘right language’. We know it’s hard to know where to start so we’ve included an example below so that you can feel more confident about writing your own letter.

    It is important to give all the facts about what you did and didn’t do, what you were told by the Jobcentre beforehand, and what your reasons were if you failed to do something. Remember to keep a copy. This will mean you have the best chance of getting the decision changed at this stage, and you will be able to use the letter again if you have to ask for an appeal.

    If you have any more evidence that you think will help (for example, a letter from one of your doctors explaining how a condition affects you, or a receipt or ticket which shows your whereabouts at a certain time) send that too.

    Below is a template letter that you can use to help you write your mandatory reconsideration request.

    Mandatory reconsideration request letter template

    Address

    (Send it to the address in the letter telling you about the sanction)

    Date

    Dear Sir / Madam,

    Re: Your full name

    NI: Put your National Insurance number here

    Date of birth: Your date of birth

    Request for mandatory reconsideration

    I am writing to ask you to reconsider your decision dated (put the date on your letter or notice) about a sanction of my Universal Credit claim.

    This is because (put your reasons - see our reasons checklist below.)

    Please also send me copies of all the evidence used to make the decision.

    Thank you for reconsidering the decision.

    Your faithfully,

    Your name

    Reasons to challenge a sanction - checklist 

    • Are your work-related requirements reasonable, taking into account your situation?
    • Did you understand what you do had to do and the consequences of not doing it? This should be set out in your Claimant Commitment or in writing, for example in your online journal.
    • Are the facts correct - did you do or not do what the Jobcentre said?
    • If not, did you have a good reason? For example, illness, a job offer, a bereavement, family or childcare issues, domestic abuse, or homelessness.
    • Was the sanction the right length of sanction?
    • If you could stop the sanction by doing something, were you told what you needed to do? You should also consider making a complaint if you weren’t told what you needed to do and this means your sanction will last for longer.

    You can send the DWP your mandatory reconsideration request by copying the text into your online journal if you have one, or you can send it in the post (the address to use should be on your decision letter). You can also ask for a mandatory reconsideration by phone, but it’s best to follow this up in writing if you can. Keep a record of how you requested your mandatory reconsideration and what you said in the request.

    What next?

    Once the DWP has made their decision you will get a notice telling you the result.

    Hopefully you will get a response within 8 weeks. However, there is no deadline by which the DWP need to respond to mandatory reconsideration requests, and it is not unheard of for people to wait up to 6 months. If you have not heard back after 8 weeks, you should email the Jobcentre plus service leader for your area. 

    In your email include your name, NI number and the date you submitted your mandatory reconsideration request. Explain that you wish to complain about the length of time the reconsideration has taken as the delay is causing you severe hardship. And then tell them about some of the impacts the delay is having on you, for example, if it means you don’t have enough money to feed yourself properly or go to medical appointments, or if the stress of not having enough money to live on is worsening your mental health.  

    Another option is to complain to your MP, who will in turn complain to the Jobcentre plus service manager. You can find your MP and email them from They work for you

    When you get an answer

    If they have changed their minds, congratulations! You will get some money back and your benefit will be restored to what it was before the sanction. If your Claimant Commitment was not reasonable ask for it to be changed to better reflect your circumstances, for example, a mental health issue or your caring responsibilities.

    If they didn't change their decision it is a good idea to keep going and appeal. This is because many cases which are turned down at the mandatory reconsideration stage are successful at appeal. Recent research found that 81% of people who appealed a sanction, won their case.

    You need to send your appeal within one month, if you can. If one month has already passed you can still ask for an appeal if you have good reasons for the delay. Explain that you were unable to appeal sooner because you were unwell, or unable to access advice. If you include reasons, your appeal is likely to be accepted if less than 13 months has passed. After that time, it is possible  – try and get advice if you can. If you cannot get advice, ask for an appeal and ask for an ’any time revision’. Explain that you did not know you could challenge the decision until now.

    How to ask for an appeal

    Don’t delay!

    • Send your appeal within one month, if you can.
    • If one month has passed you can still ask for an appeal if you do so within 13 months of the original DWP decision, and if you provide reasons for the delay.

    If you are waiting for any letters or reports that you want the tribunal to see, you can mention these in the appeal form and say you will send them in as soon as you get them. Don’t wait for them to arrive before appealing – it is fine to send them later. 

    When you appeal, an independent panel look at the DWP's decision to see if the right decision was made and change it if it was not. They do not work for the DWP. The independent panel is organised by the Court service (HMCTS).

    There are two ways you can appeal. You use the form SSCS1 to ask for an appeal. You can download the form from the GOV.UK. Or, you can also submit your appeal online. Both are easy-to-use and understand. If you use the online version a record of what you have said gets sent to your email address. If you use the form try to keep a copy, or take a photo of each page with your phone.

    In Northern Ireland you use form NOA1(SS). Although the information in this section will be useful if you are based in Northern Ireland, the process is slightly different than set out here. See appeal form NOA1(SS).

    Help to appeal online

    If you need help to ask for an appeal online you can get help from We Are Group. They can help with access to a device, data or provide guidance and reassurance on how to use the online service, or arrange an appointment where you can meet someone who will help you fill in the form.

    If you would like their help:

    • phone the helpline on 03300 16 00 51, or
    • text FORM to 60777, (and someone will call you back) or
    • email them at support@wearegroup.com

    Your appeal

    1. You need to explain what you disagree with and why. You need to give them as much detail as you can. If you wrote a detailed letter when you asked for a mandatory reconsideration and kept a copy, it might be easiest to copy and paste the text from that into the online/paper appeal form. Read it through, and add in anything you can think of that is missing. (If you are appealing using a paper form, you could just put your reasons in a fresh document and just write ‘See attached’ on the form. If you didn’t keep a copy of your mandatory reconsideration request letter see our reasons checklist.
    2. If your appeal isn’t within the time limit, you should appeal anyway but explain why the delay was unavoidable. For example, you were unable to appeal without help and you did not receive that help until now, or you have been particularly unwell since you were sanctioned.
    3. Choose to go to a hearing. You will be asked whether you want to attend a hearing or whether you want the case to be decided on the papers alone. Almost everybody wants to choose the paper hearing because it seems less scary. However, you are more likely to win if you speak to the judge at the tribunal. It gives them a chance to meet you and ask questions. Don’t worry, the hearing won’t be nearly as frightening as you might think (and it may be held via telephone or video meeting).
    4. You can specify what type of hearing would work well for you. This doesn’t mean you will get the one you prefer, but the tribunal should take your needs into account when deciding on the type of hearing to have.
    5. Explain any accessibility needs you have. Your needs at the hearing may include hearing loops, any special transport to get you there, or if you need the building to be accessible in a wheelchair. Explain what you would need - don’t assume the tribunal will be by telephone/video. Tick the box if you need a signer or interpreter at the hearing. If you can sometimes cope but sometimes need help, ask for help. It is very important that you can say everything you want to say and can understand everything that is said at the hearing. Tell them what type of support you need.
    6. You will be asked if there are any times in the next 3-8 months that you won’t be available to attend the hearing. It’s probably best to keep this simple and only ask them to avoid dates that you really can’t rearrange, like hospital appointments or operations.

    You should get at least 14 days’ notice of the hearing, unless you agree to accept less by stating that you have no dates to avoid. It is up to you whether you do this. (Bear in mind that it will be even harder to get a representative to come with you if you have less than 14 days’ notice.)  If you say that you do not need 14 days’ notice, make sure you get all the evidence you need ASAP – just in case you are offered a cancellation much sooner than you expected.

    What next?

    The HMCTS will send a copy of your appeal to the DWP and ask them to explain how they came to their decision. The DWP is supposed to do this within 28 days, although they can ask for an extension. You will receive a copy of their response. Don’t be put off if this is long or difficult to understand. Keep it safe. You will need it to prepare for your hearing.

    You should start preparing now. The next section explains everything you need to do.

    What to do before the hearing

    There are a lot of things for you to do over the next few months. It is important to start preparing as soon as you can. Some things can take a long time.

    If you have not already tried to get help and advice do so now (See How to find an adviser). Some advisers may be able to help do some of this preparation for you. If you are lucky enough to find someone who can help with the preparation, make sure you are clear which things your adviser is going to do for you, and which you need to do yourself.

    Manage your appeal 

    If you are OK with online things, i It is a good idea to sign up to the Manage your appeal service. This service enables you to keep track of how your appeal is progressing, and you can use it to upload evidence (including audio and video evidence if you want to).

    It will send you texts or emails to let you know that the DWP have responded to your appeal, to confirm evidence has been received, and when your hearing date has been scheduled. 

    If you asked for an appeal online and gave them your email address, you will have received an email with a link to help you sign up. If you did not, you can sign up by calling 0300 123 1142 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm or by emailing contactsscs@justice.gov.uk. If you ask by email, you will need to include your National Insurance number, date of birth and postal address.  

    When will the hearing be?

    Usually you won't get told the date of the hearing until 2-3 weeks before. You should be given at least 14 days’ notice (unless you agreed to less on the form). You can phone the tribunal centre dealing with your appeal and ask them when your hearing is likely to be. They will be able to give you a rough idea of waiting times in your area.

    Getting help

    If you are not getting any professional help to prepare for the hearing, you might want to ask somebody else to help you. You may not need any help, but it might stop it from feeling too stressful. This is particularly useful if you are not very good with paperwork or deadlines. If you do think it might be useful, think about who you could ask - do you have a family member, friend, or someone who helps you who is good with paperwork and organising things?

    The papers from the DWP

    Look at the papers that you were sent by the DWP explaining why they made the decision to sanction you. If it is very big or includes examples of test cases at the beginning, don’t let that put you off. You can ignore these.

    The most important parts are the bits about why the decision to sanction you was made. Read through it and look for anything you don't agree with. Make a note of all the things that are wrong. If you can, say why you don’t agree with them or why they are wrong. You can include this in a statement to the tribunal - see below for more information on statements. Also think about how you could get further evidence (from your doctor if you were ill for example) that would give a fairer picture.

    Check that everything you want the tribunal to read is in the papers. If anything is missing, send in a copy before the hearing. If it isn’t included in these papers from the DWP, the judge won’t see it unless you provide it. 

    Getting evidence

    It will help your chances of success if you can get evidence to prove what you say, if possible. What evidence you will need will depend on what your sanction is for.

    For example, if you were sanctioned for failing to do something in your Claimant Commitment, but your Claimant Commitment didn’t reflect a health problem or caring responsibility which meant you were unable to do that activity, you would ideally need evidence to show that:

    • you had asked for a review of your Claimant Commitment, or that
    • your work coach knew about your health problem or caring responsibilities.

    If you do not have that then evidence of your health problem or caring responsibility will help.

    You may need evidence to show that you did or did not carry out a particular activity. Or evidence to show that you had a good reason for doing or not doing something. For example, if you were ill, who knew about it and could support your version of events?

    Consider asking your GP, support worker or another health professional, your carer or a friend for a supporting letter.

    Evidence you already have

    Think about what evidence you already have. Do you have reports of physiotherapy, occupational health, or psychological assessments? Do you have copies of letters that the different doctors and therapists have sent to each other? Do you have letters or screenshots showing your were given an appointment at the same time as a part-time job or agreed training course the DWP knew about? Do you have receipts, tickets, or confirmation emails that show where you were or what you did? This type of evidence is likely to be very helpful. Does your phone have a record of calls made showing how you tried to ring the Jobcentre, or screenshots of messages you sent them, to tell them you couldn’t make it or were going to be late?

    Write a statement

    If you (or someone who could help you) are good with writing, you should think about writing a statement, because this counts as evidence too. A statement can be very useful as you can use it to set out all the points you want to make, which means that you don't have to remember everything you want to say on the day. They also give the judge time to think about what you’ve said before they meet you. If you can, send it to the tribunal in advance.

    How to write a statement for your appeal

    On the left is information to help you write your statement to the tribunal. It tells you all the things you should try to put in your statement and how to begin. You don’t need to fill in every box, only the ones which are relevant to you.

    On the right is Carys’s statement. We have included it to give you an example of what a statement might look like.

    Carys's statement

    Explain why you are writing.I am writing to explain my reason for appealing the decision to sanction my Universal Credit.
    Tell them what you were sanctioned forMy sanction notification said the DWP were sanctioning me for failing to attend a work programme course.
    If the DWP said you failed to do something, explain how you did it.I did not fail to attend the work programme. In fact I attended six sessions. 

    If you had a good reason for not doing something, explain what it is.

    If your good reason is health related explain how your condition or disability affects you.

    If your reason for doing something was that it hadn’t been explained to you properly, say so.

    However, I was late for two sessions and as a result I lost my place.

    I had a good reason for being late. The work programme sessions were in the morning. My depression means I feel very lethargic and foggy in the mornings. I often struggle to get up, to get washed and dressed and to get out the house. I feel depressed every day.

    I tried very hard to get to the work programme on time. But neithe my work coach nor the programme provider explained that if I was late I would lose my place.
    If you were sanctioned for something that wasn’t in your Claimant Commitment, explain what it is. 

    If your Claimant Commitment didn’t reflect the things that reduce or change your availability for work or certain types of work, explain why.

    Remember to say everything – even things that you find embarrassing.

    My depression means that working in the morning, and doing work-related activity in the morning is extremely difficult for me. My ability to go to meetings, interviews and training on time and without fail is compromised by the severity of my depression. The stress of being sanctioned is making my depression worse.

    I believe that my Claimant Commitment should have reflected my depression and not included activity that takes place first thing in the morning.
    If there is any other evidence that backs up what you are saying, refer to it.

    The letter from my mental health worker, Anne Neale, confirms my depression and the difficulties I have with morning appointments.

    The print outs of my Google timeline shows that I was at the address of the work programme on time on four occasions, and late on two others.
    If you disagree with anything else in the papers from the DWP, you need to tell them what was wrong and why this isn't right.  
    When you have finished writing the statement, read it back through more than once. Does it say everything it would be helpful to say?  

    What to do with the evidence

    Read all the evidence through - does it support your case? If it doesn't, you don't have to send it to the tribunal (but if they ask if you had any evidence you didn't send them, you have to tell the truth). 

    If you are using the Manage your appeal service, then you will be able to submit evidence online, including video and audio files. If you are not using the online service though, you should try to get as much of your evidence as possible on paper. Read more about printing from your phone.

    If the evidence is already on paper, photocopy it, and send it into the HM Courts and Tribunal Service before your hearing. Try to keep your evidence organised and neat. Ideally, send it at least a week in advance. On the day of your hearing, take your copies with you, and ask the tribunal to confirm that they have already received them. If they haven’t, you can give them your copies.

    Work out how you will attend the hearing

    If you are attending an in-person hearing, work out how you will get there and how long it will take the day before. The last thing you need is to add to your stress by getting lost, not being able to park, or being late.

    If you have a telephone or video hearing, make sure you understand how that is going to work. An online video hearing involves a link that you will need to use to connect to the tribunal from your laptop, tablet or smart phone. If you're not sure, ask your adviser, if you have one, or ask the tribunal service for help.

    See our guide on court and tribunal hearings by telephone or video for more information on how these types of hearings work.

    Arrange childcare

    It is best not to take your children to the hearing with you. In fact, if they are with you, they will usually not be allowed into the hearing. If it will cost you, get a note from the carer/childminder confirming their rate – you will be able to reclaim some expenses.

    Work out what you need to claim expenses

    If you are going to a hearing in person, you can claim travel expenses for the day of the hearing if you use public transport or travel by car. You can also claim for a meal if you are away for more than five hours. If you have to take time off work, you may also be able to claim expenses for loss of earnings. And if you have had to pay a carer or childminder you can claim expenses up to the National Minimum Wage for the time you have been away.

    Before you go to your hearing, check the current rules on expenses on GOV.UK.

    The tribunal clerk will help you fill in a claim form when you go to the hearing. Make sure you take receipts for your travel and lunch. If you have lost earnings, make sure you have a letter from your employer confirming this.

    Contact the tribunal before the hearing if you need help.

    Make notes of all the things you want to say on the day

    This is really useful and also stops the hearing or the preparation from getting too stressful. Every time you think of something the Jobcentre got wrong, make a quick note of it. Remember to take these notes with you to the hearing so that you can tick them off as you say them. Be prepared to answer the judge’s questions first – you won’t necessarily get to say everything you want to say in order. But you should be asked if you want to add anything at the end.

    Hearing dates

    If you can't attend on the date they give you, contact the tribunal centre and ask for another date as soon as you can. Don't put it off or just do nothing about it - they are usually extremely helpful. You may have to explain why you can't go and you should have a very good reason, like a hospital appointment.

    If you rang the tribunal centre, it’s a good idea to follow up with a letter or email and to keep a copy - that way, if anything goes wrong, you can prove you told them.

    If you leave it until the last minute, they may not change the day and the appeal might happen whether you attend or not. If they refuse to change the date, you should do everything you can to move your other appointment.

    If your appeal is decided without you in these circumstances, and you are not happy  with the outcome, get advice in case there is anything else you can do.

    If you have been given a date for the hearing but you are not ready yet, you can ask for a postponement but you’ll need to give a good reason. For example, if you are waiting for a particular letter or report that you want to provide, explain why it is important for the tribunal to see it and say when you think you will be able to send it.

    What to expect at the hearing

    Your hearing might be postponed or delayed

    In some areas, hearings are often postponed. This might be because the judge is unexpectedly not available to hear your appeal. Hopefully this won't happen to you, but it is possible that you will arrive to find that you have had a wasted journey.

    At other times appeals are delayed in order to get more evidence. This can be frustrating, but it is often better in the long run as the tribunal will have more information to base their decision on.

    Many hearings happen over video now. However, some are still face-to-face. Whatever kind of hearing you have you should prepare in a similar way.

    Attending a hearing isn’t like going to court. You can go alone or take a friend or family member with you for moral support. The hearing itself will usually last about 40 minutes.

    You can attend alone, take a friend or family member with you for moral support or a representative.

    Sometimes the tribunal will decide the case in your favour just on the evidence, statement, or your explanation on the appeal form. If this happens they may ring you the day before the hearing or tell you when you arrive so the hearing won’t need to go ahead.

    Face-to-face hearings

    When you arrive at the tribunal centre you will usually be shown into a waiting room. You might have to wait here for a little while. When the judge is ready for you, you will be called into the room.

    When you go into the room (it often looks like an office) there will be a big table in front of you. You (and anyone who goes with you) will sit at one side of the table and the judge will sit on the other side.

    The judge will introduce themselves and explain what will happen.

    Stick to what you wanted to say, and answer their questions fully. Remember – it is your appeal. If you get upset at any point you can ask for a short break.

    The DWP has a right to send somebody to your appeal to explain why they made their decision. They may ask some questions. Don't worry about this though. If they do send someone, it will not be the person that made the original decision about your sanction.

    At the end of the hearing

    The judge will usually make the decision that day. If the hearing is in person, you will be asked to go to the waiting room while the judge decides your case. This usually takes between 10-30 minutes. You will then be asked back into the room and told the decision. They will give you a written outline of their decision as well.

    In Northern Ireland, you are not usually told the decision on the day. You normally have to wait for a letter telling you the outcome.

    Sometimes the judge will not be able to make a decision quickly. If this happens, they will post it to you instead. It should arrive within a week or so.

    What to do on the day

    What to have with you on the day

    • If you have written a statement, have a copy with you.
    • Any notes you have written of the things you want to say.
    • Take copies of any evidence you have sent in already, in case it hasn't reached the judge.
    • If you have any new evidence that you think will be useful that you haven't already sent in, take that with you if your hearing is face-to-face and hand it in when you arrive.
    • Receipts for your travel and lunch if the hearing is face-to-face, a letter from your employer if you have lost earnings, and proof of childcare costs if you have had to pay for childcare.

    You can take a friend or relative to the appeal with you. If you are taking part by phone or video call, you can also ask for someone to be on the call with you, but you will need to check with the tribunal in advance. Find out more about how to have someone support you during a remote hearing.

    If you have asked somebody to attend with you to give you support, show them the information in the box below, called 'For friends and relatives.' It explains what they can do to help.

    Top tips to make the hearing go smoothly

    • Make sure you arrive at least 20 minutes early, or have your phone charged and ready or click on the joining link in plenty of time.
    • The judge may be running late and so you might have to wait. If you have made any notes of what you want to say, go over them. Try to keep calm. If you are attending in person have a snack in your bag in case you get hungry. There will usually be water available.
    • Many people find they get very emotional at the hearing. It doesn't matter if you get upset. It won't make any difference to your chances. Remember, you can ask for a break to calm down.
    • If you had asked for any help with communication or translation and it is not available, you should insist on having the hearing another day.
    • If you sent them any evidence before the hearing, check that they received it.
    • If you don't understand a question ask them to repeat it or put it another way. If you still don’t understand, tell them that.
    • If they say something that isn’t right, make it clear that it is not true.
    • Don't worry about using the 'right' language or ‘buzz words’. It is much better to use your own words. If you think they haven't understood something you have said, say it again in a different way
    • Try to make sure you don’t make light of any difficulties you have or exaggerate them.

    You must not record a hearing – whether it is in-person or by phone or video call.

    You must not eat or drink anything except for water or if you need to for a medical condition.

    You must not smoke or vape during a hearing.

    For friends or relatives

    If someone has asked you to attend the hearing with them to give them support, there are several things that you could do that would be very useful.
    • Before the hearing, sit down with your friend and write a list of everything they want to say. Have it with you on the day and tick them off as they are said. If at the end of the hearing there are still things that haven't been said - you can remind them.
    • Try not to answer questions on your friend's behalf. If you realise that your friend has left bits out when answering a question - try to remind them, rather than say it for them. However, if they are finding it difficult or becoming very emotional you can answer the question yourself (although it is best to ask the judge if it is OK first, just to be polite).
    • If they get upset or stressed you can try to calm them down. If this doesn't work, ask them if they want a short break.
    • Read through this guide (particularly the sections about the hearing and what to do on the day). This will help you to know what will happen so that you can help your friend.
    After the hearing

    The tribunal will tell the DWP their decision and you’ll get an official notice of the decision.

    If you were successful, the DWP will work out how much they owe you. You will usually receive your money in about 4 - 6 weeks, unless the DWP appeal.

    The DWP has the right to appeal to the Upper Tribunal if they think the tribunal judge did something wrong. They may ask the tribunal for a ‘statement of reasons’ which explains why the tribunal made the decision it did. If the DWP thinks there was an ‘error of law’ it can ask for permission to appeal. It is rare that the DWP appeals a decision, but the time it takes to get the ‘statement of reasons’ can delay you getting your money. If it does happen, they will write and tell you.

    If you weren't successful, you will be sent a leaflet to explain your options. Sometimes you might be able to appeal to the Upper Tribunal. This is like a higher court. However, this can only be done if the judge did something wrong with the law. It is very complicated, and very few people can do this without an experienced adviser. If you want to look into this possibility, you need to move quickly - you will need to ask for a copy of the tribunal’s ‘statement of reasons’ within one month. See How to find an adviser.

    Making a complaint

    You can complain to the DWP and ask your Member of Parliament (MP) for help.

    You can complain about the service you have received from the DWP by writing to them. There is an online complaints system for some benefits, including Universal Credit. For example, you can complain if you were sanctioned without being given the chance to explain your version of events or if the DWP failed to take into account a health condition when setting your work-related requirements.

    For more information on how to complain see Complaining about the service you've received - benefits and tax credits from Citizens Advice.

    If you are sanctioned or threatened with a sanction unfairly, you can also complain to your MP. Write to their office and send a copy of the letter to the Jobcentre dealing with your case. The Jobcentre may take your complaint more seriously when they see that you have involved your MP.

    Your complaint letter doesn’t need to be long or complicated. You will need to include your name, address, contact details, date of birth and National Insurance number. Then explain why the decision to sanction you was unfair. And the impact the decision has had on your ability to feed yourself (and your family), to heat or light your home, to pay for basics like soap or shampoo, the impact it has had on your health, and your ability to look for work.

    Discriminated against because of your disability?

    Did you have a good reason for doing or not doing the thing you were sanctioned for? Was that reason to do with your disability (or other protected characteristic)?

    Or was your Claimant Commitment unreasonable given your health condition or disability?

    If yes, you might be able to make the case that the DWP was discriminating against you.

    ‘I was sanctioned for not going on a training course. I didn’t realise I had to go on it. I got independent advice and they said that because of how my disability limits my availability for work I probably shouldn’t have been required to go on a training course in the first place.'

    ‘I have depression which is particularly bad in the mornings. The Jobcentre arranged a training session on the other side of town for 9.00. I just couldn’t get there. I was sanctioned for four weeks.’

    See Disability discrimination and welfare benefits from Citizens Advice for more information.

    If you think this might have happened to you – get advice as soon as you can as there are time limits for making a claim. You can also make a complaint at the same time.

    Help with money

    I couldn’t buy food, electricity etc. No warning. Massively added to my mental health stress.

    It’s hard enough getting by financially on benefits, and really tough when you get sanctioned. But there may be other benefits and entitlements that you can get that might help a bit.

    Benefits you might be able to get

    You may be entitled to other benefits so check your entitlement with an advice agency or an online benefit calculator, such as the one provided by Turn2us.

    Make sure you claim as soon as possible.

    Hardship payments

    If you have been sanctioned you may be entitled to a hardship payment and may still be entitled to help with your housing costs. Hardship means severe suffering or lacking the essentials of life (food, clothes, heating and accommodation).

    To claim a payment you need to call the Universal Credit helpline or go to your local Jobcentre Plus office to get an appointment where you will be asked for more information. If you are on other benefits, you may need to complete a hardship payment claim form to apply. You get this form from the Jobcentre. At the interview (or on the form) give as much evidence of your circumstances as you can, for example, a note from your doctor or a repeat prescription to show your medical condition, award notices, and bank or building society statements.

    For more information on hardship payments see: What is a hardship payment? 

    Hardship payments of Universal Credit usually have to be paid back, but this is up to the DWP. If you are successful in challenging the sanction decision, you will not have to repay the hardship payment.

    Emergency payments

    You can also find out about local emergency payments on the Advicelocal website. Put in your postcode and select ‘Welfare benefits’. Scroll down the page to ‘What other help is available?’ to find links to local help.

    Make sure other benefits don’t stop

    A sanction does not always stop all of your benefit, for example, if you were on Universal Credit, elements for children should continue.

    The Jobcentre only tells the council that your benefit has stopped, not that you have been sanctioned. So, the council may stop paying benefits yuo are getting via them, such as Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit. If this happens you risk getting into arrears. Try and prevent this by telling your council as soon as you are sanctioned. Take them proof of the sanction and your changed income.

    We have heard of some jobcentre staff threatening to stop people’s Housing Benefit as a sanction. This is not correct – they are not allowed to do this. They are only able to stop your Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit. If you have been threatened with this, ensure it doesn’t happen by informing the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction office that you have been sanctioned and providing evidence how your income has changed. 

    Managing with less money

    • Do you have any bills that you don’t have to pay immediately?
    • Can you reduce any regular payments to the minimum needed without causing a problem?
    • Do you have any direct debits? If so, are there any you can stop without causing a problem?
    • If you are worried about any of this, get some advice first. MoneyHelper can give you free advice – go to MoneyHelper Free money guidance to see the different ways to get help.

    Talking to people

    • Think about talking to your landlord if you cannot pay all your rent. Explain the situation to them. If you are worried about doing this, get some advice first.
    • Talk to your bank. If you have no money in your account you may need to tell them not to pay things like direct debits or standing orders to avoid bank charges.
    • Do you owe anyone money? If so, think about talking to them and explaining your situation. If possible, ask them if they will wait a bit longer before they get it back.
    • Do your children already get free school meals? If not, ask their school if you are eligible and if you are, they can help you to help you apply for them.

    Avoid more debt

    • Be very careful before you take on more debt. There are cheaper, less risky alternatives to a payday loan. For more information go to the MoneyHelper website.

    Help from other people and organisations

    • Family, friends or neighbours - think about telling your family and friends what has happened. They cannot help you if they don’t know.
    • Food banks - there are more than 1,000 food banks in the UK. You will usually need a food bank referral voucher to get food. Doctors, health visitors, social workers, council and housing association landlords, Citizens Advice advisers and the police can issue food bank vouchers.
    • Charities - some charitable funds give grants to people in an emergency or crisis. Often these are charities who help people who have worked or still work in certain careers, hospitality or retail. Turn2us is a free service that helps people find charitable funds that may be able to help them. You can find more information on their website
    • Water charges - many of the companies that provide our water and sewage services, like Yorkshire Water or Welsh Water, have charities linked to them that sometimes help people who cannot pay their water bill. Contact your water company to find out if they can help you.
    • Gas and electricity bills - many gas and electricity providers have charities linked to them that sometimes help people who cannot pay their energy bills, for example, The British Gas Energy Trust. Contact them and your own energy company to find out if they can help you.
    • Faith groups (churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples) and community groups - some faith and community groups run their own food banks or food hubs, provide hot meals for people in need and provide small emergency grants. Ask your local advice service for a referral to these.
    • Credit unions - if you are in a credit union and have a secured loan, you may be able to access the savings that usually guarantee such loans. Your request is more likely to be successful if someone like an advice worker writes to the committee confirming the urgency of the situation.

    Tamsyn’s story

     I got a note on my Universal Credit journal from the Department for Work and Pensions. They have reduced my Universal Credit for 7 days. I was supposed to have a meeting with an adviser last Monday but it was at the same time as I had my appointment at the community mental health clinic. I phoned the Jobcentre and explained, so we changed it to this Thursday. Now they say we changed it to last Thursday. I’m so angry - I know it was this Thursday as I wrote it on my calendar. I also emailed my son’s school telling them that someone else would be collecting him on that day and why. I don’t know what to do. I only have £9 left! What are we going to live on? How am I going to pay the rent?

    Tamsyn has been sanctioned. What can she do?

    1. Ask the Department for Work and Pensions to reconsider the decision to sanction her. 

    Tamsyn needs to start the process of getting someone to change the decision as soon as possible – so the first step is to ask Department for Work and Pensions to reconsider the decision. 

    She is also going to need some money – soon – so applying for a hardship payment is the next step. However realistically, with only £9 to her name she may also need to ask a friend or family member for help.

    Tamsyn’s MP may be able to make a difference so it is worth complaining to them as soon as possible.

    Finally, Tamsyn can’t appeal until she knows the result of the reconsideration, So it is something she may do later but cannot do immediately. In practice you would probably do the first four things on this list all at the same time.

     
    2. Confirm a new date for the interview to make sure the sanction doesn't get extended. 
    3.  Apply for a hardship payment.
    4.  Borrow some money from a friend or family member.
     5. Complain to her MP.
    6.  Appeal.
    How to find an adviser to help with a benefit sanction

    If the organisation you contact says they are too busy:

    • ask them to keep your name on a waiting list, or to tell you how long before they might be taking on new clients.
    • Ask if they know any other organisations you should contact for help if they cannot give you an appointment themselves.
    • Remember that appeals take quite a long time (around 6 months or so, depending on where you are in the country) so you do have a bit of time to find an organisation which might be able to help you prepare for the appeal tribunal.

    It is now much harder to find advice and help with your benefits than it used to be.  But it is worth trying to see if you can get a bit of help to work out if you were sanctioned fairly, or to check what other benefits and entitlements you may be able to get.

    A few agencies may even be able to help you ask for a mandatory reconsideration, complete your appeal form, or even come with you on the day. So, it is worth ringing round a few to check what help is available. Be sure to accept any help a local agency can offer you! 

    • You can see if there is an independent advice agency in your area via Advicelocal. If you live in Northern Ireland - visit Advice NI.

    Check if your local council has a welfare rights service. In some cases they will be able to represent you. Phone the council and ask for ‘welfare rights’, check their website, or ask in your local library. Where these still exist, they are often very good.

    Law Centres employ solicitors and caseworkers specialising in social welfare law including discrimination. They provide free advice, representation, and education on legal rights. Check if there is a Law Centre near you.

    • There are sometimes services that you can access through your GP, social worker, community mental health worker, or community centre. There's no harm in asking - so if you have one, call, and ask if there is a service for you.
    • Some charities provide advice services for particular groups - for example, the Disability Law Service offers advice to disabled people. Similarly, Gingerbread has an advice line for single parents. And the Royal British Legion offers support to members of the armed services and veterans. Check if there is a charity that provides benefits advice to people in your circumstances or with your illness or disability. 

    If you’ve nowhere else to turn, try your MP. They often have a caseworker who is not usually an expert on benefits but they will often be familiar with the problem and might well be able to help you.

    What does it mean?

    Appeal - This means a judge (or in Northern Ireland a legally qualified member) who does not work for the DWP or DfC will look at your claim and see if the right decision was made. If they think the wrong decision was made, they will change it.

    Benefits adviser - This is a benefits expert who can give you advice about your sanction. They may also be able to help you prepare for the hearing or even represent you.

    Clerk to the Tribunal - This is the person who organises the hearing and deals with the paperwork.

    Claimant Commitment - to get Universal Credit you have to carry out certain work-related activities which are set out in your ‘Claimant Commitment’.

    Complex needs - if you have difficult personal circumstances, or need extra support, for example, a disability or addiction.

    Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - This is the government department that deals with most benefits and runs Jobcentres.

    Department for Communities (DfC) – This is the government department in Northern Ireland that deals with most benefits and runs Jobcentres.

    Error of law – where a decision was wrong because of a mistake in applying or interpreting the law.

    Find a Job – the government’s online job site.

    Hearing - This is when your appeal is looked at by the Tribunal. You can have a hearing in person (also called an ‘oral hearing’) where you speak to the Tribunal (which can be in person, by telephone or video call.) Or you can have a written hearing (also called a ‘paper hearing’) when the tribunal just look at the papers again on their own. We strongly advise you to attend a hearing, whether in person or by phone or video call. You have a better chance of success if you do.

    Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) - This is the government department that organises the tribunal judge and the hearing. In Northern Ireland it is the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service (NICTS).

    Legally Qualified Member – the person who hears your appeal in Northern Ireland. (In England, Wales and Scotland this is the judge.)

    Mandatory reconsideration - This means the DWP will look at their decision again. You must ask for a mandatory reconsideration before you can appeal a decision.

    Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service (NICTS) - This is the government department in Northern Ireland that organises the legally qualified member and the hearing.

    NOA1(SS) - This is the form you must use to ask for an appeal if you claim benefits in Northern Ireland.

    Online journal – Part of your online Universal Credit account where you can send and receive messages from your work coach and keep a record of what you’ve done.

    Protected characteristics – personal characteristics which mean you are protected by discrimination laws.

    Representative - This is an expert in benefits who might help you prepare for the hearing, gather evidence for the appeal, write to the tribunal and may be able to will come with you to help you put your case.

    Sanction - A benefit sanction is what the DWP and Jobcentre calls it when they reduce or stop your benefit payment for a period of time. This might be because they decide, for example, you are not actively seeking work, you missed a work-focused interview, or some other reason.

    Screenshot – also called a screen capture or screen grab – when you take an image of what is shown on the screen on your phone, tablet or computer.

    Social Security and Child Support Tribunal - This is the name for the body, which is separate from the DWP who will hear your appeal to see if the DWP made the right decision.

    SSCS1 (NOA1(SS) in Northern Ireland) - This is the form you must use to ask for an appeal

    Statement of reasons - If the DWP is thinking about appealing against a tribunal decision, they must ask the tribunal for full written reasons for the decision.

    Upper Tribunal - This is like a higher court. If you weren't successful in your appeal, you might be able to appeal to the Upper Tribunal, but you can only do this if the judge made a mistake with the law.

    Work Capability Assessment - This is the process by which the DWP assess whether you have limited capability to work or limited capability for work-related activity, and are therefore entitled to Employment Support Allowance or the limited capability for work element of Universal Credit.

    Work coach / Jobcentre adviser – A member of staff at the Jobcentre who you will speak to regularly as part of your benefits claim, including setting your Claimant Commitment.

    Work focused interview – A meeting with a work coach to help you move into work, or to find more / better paid work, or to prepare for doing these things in the future. It looks at t what you can do and what support you might need. Regular interviews are called 'work search reviews' (where the work coach checks what you have been doing to find work).

    Work-related conditions / requirements – These are the activities that the DWP believe will help you be able to have a job in the future. You may need to take part in work-related activity to continue receiving benefit. The DWP should make it clear if you have to do this and what will happen if you don't. Work-related activity consist of updating your CV, going to training courses, and doing various tasks that the DWP say will make you more able to get a job later.

    About this guide

    The information in this guide applies to England, Wales and Scotland. It will also be useful for people in Northern Ireland, although there are some differences to names and processes.

    The law is complicated. We have simplified things in this guide. Please don’t rely on this guide as a complete statement of the law. We recommend you try and get advice from the sources we have suggested.

    The cases we refer to are not always real but show a typical situation. We have included them to help you think about how to deal with your own situation.

    Acknowledgements

    March 2024

    Advicenow would like to thank all those who provided advice and feedback, particularly Maurice Serrell from Staffs Advocacy Services CIC, who peer reviewed this update.

    This guide was updated thanks to funding from the Ministry of Justice.

    March 2022 

    This guide was updated thanks to funding from the Litigant in Person Support Strategy.

    April 2019 

    This guide was written and produced by Advicenow with funding from National Lottery Community Fund.

    Advicenow would like to thank all those who provided advice and feedback, particularly Will Hadwen, contributor to CPAG Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits handbook, Sabine Isaac and Melissa Markwell of the Royal British Legion, Greg Voiels from the Wolverhampton Welfare Rights Service (City of Wolverhampton Council), Katy Watts and Matt Ahluwalia of Public Law Project, and Amira Asghar.

    If we’ve helped you, please help us

    Please tell us about your problem. Knowing more about our users and what you found useful helps us get funding to keep our website going. We also want to hear if there is anything you didn’t like or couldn’t find so that we can be even more useful. It is OK to skip questions – but please press ‘submit’ at the end as otherwise we don’t get your response. Thank you! 

    If you would like this guide in another format please email guides@lawforlife.org.uk

    5
    7 Reviews

    This is a great help

    Used it to ask for an MR. Am inspired to appeal if MR unsuccessful. Will let you know how it goes.
    5
    J Watt on the 26 / 03 / 2024

    Very helpful and clearly presented !

    I am now on my second UC sanction, apparently some Work Coach meetings are mandatory and some are not.( I did not brealise this. which is somewhat my fault ) I dislike going into the Jobcentre as the staff are generally institutionalised junior civil servants living in some kind of parallel universe to the one we are all inhabiting. My background is in adult education, and none of the Work coaches have the skills, knowledge, experience, talent or calibre to help me in any meaningful way. The whole UC regime is designed to grind you down mentally, and reflects an entirely punitive, miserable, and negative approach to jobseekers that is the very antithesis of what will actually work in the real world. Anyway, rant over, good luck to all my fellow UC sufferers, Solidarity !
    5
    Rob B on the 08 / 04 / 2023

    Not the full story..

    You need to make it clear that a number of staff at certain JCP offices across the country are still threatening to stop claimants Housing Benefit by way of sanctions - this is illegal and wrong - JCP cannot sanction your HB or Council Tax benefit - they can only stop your JSA portion of around the princely sum of £73 a week.
    5
    Manitoba on the 18 / 02 / 2022

    Sanctions guide

    This is clear and helpful but I have to say that a lot of this info was fully explained to me when I was using the jobcentre myself. in the office I went to the staff were always telling people to keep in touch and let them know in advance if they couldn't attend appointments, they also gave people lots of chances and warnings.in my experience if you are pleasant, cooperative and not chippy, the staff are very helpful
    5
    Kate - former jobseeker on the 06 / 10 / 2019

    Benefits

    Useful
    5
    N Worthington on the 06 / 10 / 2019

    Really helpful. Thanks

    Clear and practical advice.
    5
    on the 24 / 09 / 2019

    Great practical guide

    Excellent guide to avoiding benefit sanctions
    5
    CM Mason on the 11 / 06 / 2019

    Add new review

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