Universal Credit claimants could face more sanctions now that job centres are reopening - a union has claimed.
Union leaders fear that with face to face appointments resuming, from May, more sanctions will be given.
Sanctions are penalties given to claimants on Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, and Employment & Support Allowance if they fail to meet the conditions of their claim - Birmingham Live reports.
The most common sanctions are giving out for not attending meetings with work coaches who are supervising their efforts to find a new job.
These in-person meetings were suspended during lockdown as job centres closed, with meetings taking place via phone.
Find the latest jobs near you by entering your postcode below:
Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "Thousands of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) staff have been providing support to claimants safely from home throughout the pandemic.
"The only logical reason they would insist on fully reopening is because of management's obsession with sanctioning vulnerable claimants."
What sanctions can be imposed?
From 20 per cent to 100 per cent of a claimant's benefits can be cut if a sanction is imposed.
A single claimant can face a maximum 100 per cent benefit cut as a sanction, while a claimant who is in a couple can get a maximum 50 per cent sanction.
These amounts reduce to 40 per cent and 20 per cent respectively if the claimant has childcare responsibilities, is pregnant, or in the midst of an adoption.
There are four levels of sanctions:
1. Lowest level
Failure to attend or take part in a Work-Focused Interview. The sanction lasts until the claimant attends or takes part in one, or is moved to a category where they are not required to look for work.
2. Low level
The sanction lasts until the claimant does what they previously failed to do and were sanctioned for (for example, failing to attend a training course) or because either the requirement is no longer appropriate or an alternative compliance condition has been met, plus 7, 14 or 28 days for the first, second or third low level sanction in any 12-month period.
3. Medium level
The sanction lasts 28 days for the first sanction in any 12 month period, and 91 days (approximately 3 months) for a second medium level sanction. Medium level sanctions apply, for example, where the claimant has to meet the work availability requirement, but has failed to be available to attend an interview or start work.
4. High level
The sanction lasts for 91 days (approximately 3 months) for the first sanction in any 12-month period and 182 days (approximately 6 months) for a second high level sanction. High level sanctions apply, for example, where a claimant refuses the offer of a job. The length of the sanction can be less if the claimant is under the age of 18 at the point of the failure.
Threat of industrial action - and what the DWP said
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) also says most jobcentre staff do not feel safe going back to offices after they fully reopened when the latest roadmap relaxations came into effect, and it has warned of industrial action over the issue.
The union said a survey of more than 1,000 of its members found around three in five feel unsafe, while another one in five is unsure about their safety because of continuing fears about the virus.
The union said most in-person interviews, carried out on Universal Credit and other benefit claims, should be done remotely.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "These results reflect the anger and frustration our members feel every day.
"These stats show how staff feel and should send a strong signal to ministers that they need to urgently meet with the union to avoid potential industrial action."
A DWP spokesman said: "Throughout this pandemic, jobcentres have remained open to ensure we can continue to provide vital support to the most vulnerable. Our return to full opening hours will enable us to provide even more help and support to those who need us.
"We take the health and safety of colleagues extremely seriously and are absolutely committed to ensuring all our sites remain Covid-secure in line with Public Health England and Government guidance to keep colleagues and customers safe."
