Universal Credit Sanctions - Can I get any help during the sanction?

If you have been sanctioned and are struggling to manage without your full Universal Credit payments, you can apply for a hardship payment. 

Hardship Payments  

A Hardship Payment is a loan from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) , which you will have to pay back through deductions from your benefits once your sanction ends. 

Remember, you can apply for a multiple hardship payments. For example, in the next period if your sanction is still being applied.

To maximize the amount of hardship payment you get, you should apply for it on the day you get paid Universal Credit. 

Example: 

• Conor’s UC assessment period is from 18 February to 17 March, with his payday is 24 March. He’s sanctioned on 10 February.  
• He claims a hardship payment on 13 February, and this hardship period runs from 13 February to 23 February.  
• On 24 February, if he is still sanctioned, he’ll need to reapply for a hardship payment. If he does so, his next hardship period will run from 24 February to 23 March.  

For more information, read our Hardship Payments guide. 

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