Over 20 million people across the UK are currently receiving financial support through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and this week a rule change was implemented which applies to everyone claiming two specific benefits.
From Wednesday, November 3, sanctions can now be applied to anyone claiming support through New Style Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Up to now, DWP has not applied sanctions to new style benefits, however, a sanctions process is being introduced which will enable this to happen. The Department said this will bring New Style benefits in line with legacy benefits and Universal Credit.
The rule change means that New Style JSA and ESA claimants who do not meet the responsibilities agreed in their Claimant Commitment, without having a good reason, will lose some or all of their payment.
The DWP said: "This will mean that, as is the case for Universal Credit claimants, if someone in receipt of new style JSA and ESA fails to do what they have agreed to in their Claimant Commitment without good reason - such as having or caring for a child, or a change to a health condition - their payments may be reduced for a set period. This is known as a sanction."
It continued: "All Claimant Commitments are tailored to a person’s personal circumstances and local jobs market, and claimants affected by this change are being informed of the introduction of the new process."
"Sanctions are only applied as a last resort when a claimant is not engaging with the commitment they have made. If someone disagrees with a decision they can ask for it to be looked at again."
What is a benefits sanction?
DWP guidance states that New Style JSA could be stopped or reduced depending on how your last job ended.
It could also be stopped or reduced if you do not do something your work coach has asked you to do or what you have agreed in your Claimant Commitment, without having a good reason.
There are three different levels of sanctions and they are decided based on what you did and how often.
These levels are:
- Low Level
- Medium Level
- High Level
More information on this change for both JSA and ESA can be found on the GOV.UK website.
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