Sanction advice

Zahapalace

Hi all

Just a quick question about how sanctions work

Basically how does the process work? How do the dwp let you know they are sanctioning you and how much notice do they have to give you?

How long after you have committed a sanction offence have they got to sanction you. What I mean by that is I reported a change in circumstances which in their eyes could have been a sanction offence but 3 months later they still have not said anything to me or sanctioned me. Could they still sanction me even though they have left it 3 months and have carried on paying me? Surely 3 months is too long now? The reason for change in circumstances was I reduced my hours at work to help my wife look after our severely disabled child and it was affecting my health working full time and caring for my daughter. I reported the change and I was expecting a sanction but 3 months later I've heard nothing.

Thanks for the help

pmlindyloo

Which benefits are you, your wife and your daughter receiving?

Universal Credit? DLA? Carer's Allowance? Tax credits?

Zahapalace

It's universal credit. We do get dla as well and carers allowance

pmlindyloo

Sorry, just seen your previous thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6009813/worried-about-universal-credit

Has your work coach discussed this with you?

How much are you earning from your job?

Zahapalace

I have had no contact with a work coach at all. I have heard nothing for 3 months. The last 2 assessment periods I have earned £992 and £848 but that was because of a bonus and stuff. From now on it will be £588.08 a month

pmlindyloo

I think it would be better for your peace of mind to contact the DWP and explain your concerns.

Some may say that it is better to leave things as they are but I know how stressful not knowing can be.

As far as I am aware you would be treated separately from your wife as she is the main carer and you may need to sign a claimant commitment.

I agree that a sanction is unlikely to be issued due to the reasons you had for reducing your hours. Did you visit the doctor during the period immediately before reducing your hours?

Zahapalace

I carried on for 2 and a half years working full time and struggling to care for our daughter but it finally all caught up with me and I developed depression and anxiety and was signed off work for a couple of months and now I am getting counciling. In my claiment commitent it says that I am in the light touch in work group so surely if that's what it says then I have no worries? And surely 3 months is way to long to sanction me now

pmlindyloo

OK, so you are in the light touch regime.

So it seems that the DWP have accepted your reasons for reducing your hours.

I suspect that they will telephone you in due course to discuss your situation.

I believe that you need not worry, just communicate with the DWP when they get in contact.

Zahapalace

Thank you so much for all your advice it's much appreciated.

I'm just on edge because they have never asked me to explain my reasons as to why I reduced my hours and put me straight in to the light touch group and like I said I have heard nothing for 3 months now, so surely that's to far gone for them to sanction me now or take me out of the light touch group? And I know if you are in the light touch group then they cannot bother you to much in regards to looking for work or even cannot sanction you