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Benefit Sanctions & Housing
How benefit sanctions affect your rent, what to do if you are sanctioned, and getting emergency support.
Relevant for:
At Risk
Currently Homeless
Important Warnings
- Do not ignore the sanction. It will not go away, and challenging it can take months.
- Hardship payments are loans from your future Universal Credit. You will have to pay them back.
- Sanctions can cause rent arrears and eviction. Act quickly to get help.
- A benefit sanction means your Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance is reduced or stopped because the DWP says you did not meet your work-related commitments.
- If you are sanctioned, your housing element of Universal Credit is not affected. However, you will have less money overall, making it harder to pay rent.
- Sanctions can last from a few weeks to up to 3 years, depending on the reason.
- You can challenge a sanction by asking for a Mandatory Reconsideration and, if that fails, appealing to a tribunal.
- You have the right to know why you were sanctioned and to challenge the decision.
- You have the right to apply for a hardship payment if you cannot afford food or housing due to the sanction.
- The DWP must tell you about hardship payments and how to apply.
Next Steps
Important Action
Challenge the sanction
Ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration as soon as you are notified of the sanction. Explain why you missed the appointment or requirement.
Apply for a hardship payment
If you have no money for food or rent, you can apply for a hardship payment (60% of your usual Universal Credit).
Tell your landlord
Explain to your landlord that your benefit has been sanctioned and you are challenging it. Ask them not to start eviction proceedings.
Get emergency help
Contact your local council for emergency financial assistance, food bank vouchers, or a Discretionary Housing Payment.
Important Action
Get advice
Contact Citizens Advice or a welfare rights advisor. Sanctions are often overturned at appeal.
External Resources
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