DWP Universal Credit warning as benefit 'could be stopped or reduced'

Universal Credit claimants have been warned of the actions which could see them slapped with a sanction. It comes after more than 424,000 people received one last year, making it more vital than ever that those receiving the benefit are aware of all the dos and don'ts.

Sanctions are given out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as punishments for claimants not committing to their side of the claimant agreement they signed when they first started receiving the benefit. This usually records what you agree to do to prepare and look for work or increase your earnings.

The exact reason you receive a sanction can vary greatly from failing to apply for jobs to not attending recommended courses or not providing certain evidence requested by the department. Missing Jobcentre commitments including meetings with your work coach can also spark a sanction unless you have a good reason.

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Failing to report a change of circumstances in good time is another common reason for sanctions. These can include moving addresses, changes in earnings or changes in your working ability.

If the DWP finds that you purposefully did not give this information to avoid lowering your benefit income, you could be taken to court or have to pay penalties. The DWP implements these changes on your record from the day they occurred, not the day you reported them.

If you delay updating these changes of circumstances, you may be liable to pay back any extra benefits you received that you weren’t entitled to. This can cause a reduction in your benefit payments until you pay back the full sum.

There are three different levels of Universal Credit sanctions, which will be assigned to your case depending on what caused the sanction. All sanctions are temporary, but the length and amount it will be cut depends on the severity of the situation as judged by the Department.

Low-level sanctions are usually applied to people for lesser commitment breaches like not attending a work-focused interview, signing on when you were meant to or providing evidence requested by the Department. It usually lasts for a set period of time, around seven days, according to Turn2Us, plus however long it takes to correct the issue.

Medium-level sanctions are used for claimants who don’t do enough to look for work or are not available for work. These usually last around 28 days, but if you incur more than one in a year, it may be extended to 91 days.

And high-level sanctions can last for roughly three months but can be extended to 182 days if you’ve had multiple high-level sanctions in the past year. This punishment is usually for major breaches of the commitment like failing to accept a job that is offered to you or leaving your job without a good reason.

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.