Some 622,000 Universal Credit recipients have faced benefit sanctions over a 17-month period from February 2024 to July 2025.
The Department for Work and Pensions imposed payment reductions or stoppages on these claimants for failing to meet their benefit conditions.
Most benefit sanctions were given to people who missed mandatory meetings with work coaches at Jobcentre Plus, affecting 561,630 claimants.
Another 18,900 people lost some of their payments for not attending employment programmes aimed at helping them find work.
A further 9,380 were sanctioned for leaving their jobs without an acceptable reason, according to the latest figures from August 2025. The overall sanction rate rose slightly to 5.5 per cent.
Universal Credit claimants can also be penalised for not putting in enough effort to look for work. They are usually expected to spend around 35 hours a week job hunting and must keep evidence of their activity for their work coach.
Turning down suitable job offers or quitting work without a valid reason can lead to cuts in payments, while repeated lateness or missed Jobcentre appointments results in tougher and longer sanctions.
Neglecting to report changed circumstances, such as relocating or starting new employment, constitutes another sanctionable offence. Severe cases involving deliberate non-disclosure may constitute benefit fraud, potentially resulting in criminal proceedings.
Universal Credit claimants can also be penalised for not putting in enough effort to look for work
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Recipients can avoid sanctions by meeting all the requirements set out in their claimant commitment. This document outlines the work-related tasks they must complete to receive Universal Credit, which can include updating a CV, attending interviews, or applying for jobs, depending on individual circumstances.
It is essential that claimants attend every Universal Credit appointment on time and take part in any scheduled interviews.
The DWP expects them to complete agreed job-seeking activities such as training courses and applications for suitable roles.
If circumstances prevent a claimant from meeting these requirements, they should contact the DWP immediately.
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Claimants believing they’ve been unfairly sanctioned can request a mandatory reconsideration from the DWP within one month of notification
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This can be done by adding a note in their online Universal Credit journal or by getting in touch with their work coach.
Understanding their obligations and the possible consequences of not meeting them helps claimants avoid sanctions. The DWP informs sanctioned individuals through messages in their Universal Credit journal or by post, explaining the payment reduction.
Claimants believing they’ve been unfairly sanctioned can request a mandatory reconsideration from the DWP within one month of notification. This process requires explaining why the department’s decision was incorrect, with supporting evidence strengthening the case.
If the mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful, claimants have the right to appeal to a First-tier Tribunal within one month
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Applications can be made in several ways: by sending a message through an online Universal Credit account, completing the CRMR1 form on gov.uk, or calling 0800 328 5644.
Written applications can also be posted to DWP Complaints, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 2GY.
If the mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful, claimants have the right to appeal to a First-tier Tribunal within one month.
To do this, they must complete the SSCS1 form from HM Courts and Tribunals Service, providing their personal details, National Insurance number, and the reasons for their appeal. The completed form and the reconsideration notice should then be sent to HMCTS Appeals Centre, PO Box 1203, Bradford, BD1 9WP.
