What is a Universal Credit sanction?

For people receiving Universal Credit who do not meet their claimant commitment requirements.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

You must accept a claimant commitment, which sets out what you'll do to look for or prepare for work. If you don't do what you agreed, or miss an appointment without a good reason, your payment can be cut or stopped; this is a sanction.

Contact the helpline straight away if you can't meet your commitment or will miss an appointment.
In emergencies, like a bereavement, you may get a short pause.
If a sanction leaves you unable to pay for essentials, you can ask for a hardship payment.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Agree a claimant commitment
Sanctions cut payments
Hardship payment possible

Deadlines to know

Ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date of the sanction decision. You can ask later only if you have a good reason, such as being in hospital or a bereavement.
If you cannot go to an appointment, contact Universal Credit straight away. In an emergency you may get a short pause or a change to your claimant commitment.

Why you can be sanctioned

You can be sanctioned if, without a good reason, you do not:

go to an appointment with your work coach
give evidence of the work-related things you agreed to do
go on a training course
apply for a job you were told to apply for
accept a job offer

You can also be sanctioned for leaving a job on purpose.

How long a sanction lasts (age 18 and over)

Level	First time	If sanctioned before in the last 365 days
Lowest	Until you contact Universal Credit to book a new appointment	Same
Low	Until you do what was asked, plus 7 days	Plus 14 days for a second, or 28 days for a third or more
Medium	28 days	91 days
High	91 days	Up to 182 days

Shorter periods apply if you are 16 or 17.

How much is taken off (2026/27)

Most sanctions take off 100% of your standard allowance for each day. The reduction is 40% if you are 16 or 17, or if your only requirement is to go to appointments.

Who	Daily reduction at 100%
Single, under 25	£11.10
Single, 25 or over	£13.90
Couple, both under 25 (per sanctioned person)	£8.60
Couple, one or both 25 or over (per sanctioned person)	£10.90

Example. You are single, aged 30, and get a medium level sanction for the first time. 28 days x £13.90 = £389.20 taken off in total.

Good reasons

DWP decides if you had a good reason. Examples on GOV.UK include a hospital appointment at the same time as a meeting, being suddenly ill, or a domestic emergency. If DWP accepts your reason, your payment is not reduced.

How to challenge a sanction

Write a note in your Universal Credit journal saying you want a mandatory reconsideration. You can also ask by phone, face to face or in writing.
Explain why the decision is wrong. Say what happened and why you could not do what was asked.
Add proof if you have it, such as an appointment letter, a fit note, or a message showing you contacted Universal Credit.
Wait for the reconsideration decision.
If you still disagree, you can appeal to a tribunal.

If you cannot afford essentials

You can ask for a hardship payment if you were sanctioned at 100% (or 50% or more for a couple). It helps with food, heating, hygiene items and housing costs not covered by Universal Credit. You must show you have cut non-essential costs and looked for other help.

Hardship payments must be paid back. Once the sanction ends, your Universal Credit is reduced by up to 15% of your standard allowance until it is repaid. Ask through your journal, your work coach, or the helpline on 0800 328 5644 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

Free help

Citizens Advice can help you write a reconsideration request or prepare an appeal for free.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Universal Credit is run separately. The sanction lengths are similar, with the highest level lasting up to 182 days. Hardship payments must also be paid back.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Contact Universal Credit

Common questions

How can I avoid a Universal Credit sanction?

Do everything you agreed in your claimant commitment, and contact the Universal Credit helpline straight away if you cannot.

Can I get a hardship payment if I'm sanctioned?

You may if you've cut non-essential costs, looked into other support and can prove you need help with essentials like food, heating or hygiene.

Do I have to pay back a hardship payment?

Yes. Once your sanction ends, it's taken back from your Universal Credit by up to 15% of your standard allowance.

Can I challenge a Universal Credit sanction?

Yes. Ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within one month of the decision. If you still disagree, you can appeal to a tribunal.

Official sources

1.Your claimant commitmentwww.gov.uk/universal-credit/your-claimant-commitment
2.Universal Credit: hardship payment if your payment is stopped or reducedwww.gov.uk/universal-credit-advance-hardship-payment/payments-stopped-reduced
3.Challenge a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration)www.gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

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