The Government has agreed to ban all benefit sanctions for at least 90 days as coronavirus numbers continue to rise in the UK.
Benefit and universal credit claimants who fail to look for work won't face sanctions for the next three months, while reviews and assessments have also been suspended until June, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said.
This is to allow staff to focus on processing new claims - with millions more people set to enrol onto universal credit in the next fortnight after the Government announced plans to increase the standard allowance by £1,000 to help struggling families.
Work and pensions secretary of state, Thérèse Coffey, said: "As this country ramps up its efforts to support people through coronavirus, we will do whatever it takes to protect claimants and our staff.
"We are automatically extending all awards and reassessments for health and disability benefits to provide that reassurance to those in receipt of them."
She added: "Recognising the need for DWP civil servants to focus on the processing of claims, we will not be checking conditionality compliance regarding looking for and being available for work for the next three months.
"This means no sanctions should be applied for that reason for the next three months and regulations will be introduced to bring that to effect."
Under the measures, people receiving benefits are being told not to attend jobcentre appointments for at least three months.
This is to reduce face to face contact during the pandemic.
Reviews and reassessments for universal credit, employment and support allowance (ESA), personal independence payment (PIP), disability living allowance, attendance allowance and the industrial injuries disablement benefit have also been temporarily suspended.
Face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits have been cancelled for the next three months, including for any new claims.
Plus, benefit sanctions for failing to look for work and for not making yourself available for work have been suspended for three months.
If you are due for a review of your payments, the DWP says it will extend the end date to ensure you're not left without money.
However if your situation changes you should still contact DWP as normal to ensure you receive the correct level of support.
