Read our guide to Universal Credit Sanctions
- Last reviewed 08 April 2024
How much will a Universal Credit sanction be?
Single
If you are single and over 25, the sanction will be £12.90per day for as long as your sanction lasts.
If you are single and under 25, the sanction will be £10.20per day for as long as the sanction lasts.
Your sanction should not be more than your standard allowance. If you get additional elements for Universal Credit, you will carry on getting them. If you get money in your Universal Credit to help with your rent, it is important you carry on using it for your rent.
Couple
If you are in a couple and one or both of you is over 25, the sanction will be £10.10per day if only one of you has been sanctioned.
If you are in a couple and are both under 25, the sanction will be £8per day if only one of you has been sanctioned.
Your sanction should not be more than half your standard allowance. If you receive additional elements for Universal Credit, you will carry on getting them. If you receive money in your Universal Credit to help with your rent, it is important you carry on using it for your rent.
Exceptions
You might have less money taken off your Universal Credit if:
- You are 16 or 17 years old
- You are only supposed to take part in work-focused interviews – this mostly applies to people caring for young children and people with disabilities
- You are someone who does not have to do anything to get your Universal Credit (no work related requirements), because:
If you are in one of these groups but are having the full amount of your standard allowance taken from your Universal Credit payments, you should get independent advice.
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