Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

UC sanctions should be temporarily lifted

275 replies

Needachangee · 13/08/2022 13:37

NC as been discussing with a friend who uses MN

I am on UC currently but have been sanctioned for missing appointments as my mum was in hospital. I had a single piece of toast yesterday, I just started my period, it’s 30 degrees and I have 3 potatoes and half a tin of beans to last until Monday. That’s when I can apply for a hardship payment that I might not even receive and if I do it won’t come through till Tuesday.

AIBU to think sanctions should be lifted temporarily with the cost of living crisis. I understand that there has to be consequences and incentives to make people attend the job centre but the alternative is people like myself are close to starving. The only positive outlook I have is I’m starting work in September. Food banks are scarce as everyone is struggling to buy their own shops let alone donate.

The country is on its knees so I know there can’t be an increase in UC and as I say I will be earning myself soon enough but as I’ve been sanctioned the most I will get is £100 if I’m accepted for a hardship payment to see me through till payday in September. I think sanctions should be banned temporarily as a help to people like the increase during lockdown.

OP posts:
Jalisco · 13/08/2022 13:45

I am surprised that you were sanctioned for missing appointments if you were visiting a close relative in hospital. Did you appeal the sanction, as it doesn't seem very fair?

I'm sorry for your situation, and I don't think you should have been sanctioned based on what you have said here. But no I don't think all sanctions should be lifted. Sanctions should be fairly applied - and I don't think they always are, so I am not defending them totally - but I am afraid that if they were universally lifted then it would be an open season on everyone not bothering to do anything.

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 13/08/2022 13:49

I am really so sorry you are in that position, it must be really awful. I have been very poor before and I know how horrible it is.

I'm not trying to bash you, but was there a reason you couldn't attend your UC appointment, even with your mum in hospital? You would have known this was the consequence, and it would have been only 30 mins - 1 hour out of your day. Sadly I don't think just getting rid of sanctions is the answer, as if you were working you would still have had to go to work (or arrange annual leave etc).

If the situation is more complicated than that, ie that there was a reason you couldn't leave your mother's side for the length of the appointment time, you could try appealing the sanction maybe? I think they can be understanding where the situation is very unusual / serious.

ilovesooty · 13/08/2022 13:51

Have you missed more than one appointment?

Nothappyatwork · 13/08/2022 13:53

Communication is the key here, if you in advance let them know of the appointment they cannot sanction you.

Crikeymaccrikey · 13/08/2022 13:56

Appeal the sanction if you needednto be there all that day.. giving spefic reasons why.. if that was the case eg admussion took a long time , couldnt be left alone due to condition or anxiety.
You should be able to appeal and explain. Other than that no , sanction should not be lifted.
People at work , me included, had to book time off or negotite time off or be in work. Benefits should be a similar commitment to.negotiate just like those in work..and i dont say this lighlty having a relative terminally ill in hospital and in amd out of work

Happyhippy99 · 13/08/2022 13:56

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
Needachangee · 13/08/2022 13:58

You’ve obviously not budgeted properly and that’s why you have little food. What have you honestly been spending your benefits on?

Please do tell me how I was supposed to have budgeted properly when the last payment I received was £110 and 4 weeks ago.

OP posts:
Springbunbun · 13/08/2022 13:59

Absolutely not sorry but if I had a work meeting I didn’t attend to because I was visiting a sick relative without prior approval I’d be “sanctioned” in the terms of a management meeting and probably a warning. UC needs to be treated as a important as a job is.

totally different if it was a call such as come now to the hospital …

Original poster
Needachangee · 13/08/2022 14:01

My mum was being moved hospitals for uncertain amount of times, being sent home after misdiagnosed and needed things taken to various places. It was a mess. Eventually they found out the cause and was taken for emergency surgery. I struggle with own MH (dwp are aware of this) and I did not communicate well with them during this time. Which is obviously my fault and I now regret.

OP posts:
Nimo12 · 13/08/2022 14:03

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

What a cruel attitude this is. Nasty.

Isaidnoalready · 13/08/2022 14:04

Is it a fixed term sanction or a sanction until you actually attend the job centre?

Christmasiscominghohoho · 13/08/2022 14:06

You know you can’t miss your app so you should of went to it.

LilacSky95 · 13/08/2022 14:09

I really feel for you OP. I know how tough it is trying to survive on so little. Having to try and pay all the Bills and have enough to eat on such little money. I agree sanctions should be stopped right now.

AngelfishDecay · 13/08/2022 14:10

If you're short of money, then do what I had to do on UC - borrow money, take stuff to Cash Converters, throw yourself on your friends' and family's charity. You know, you could even try getting a job - go to an employment agency and take what they offer you, just so that you can eat.

In short, help yourself. Be pro-active.

I'm really surprised you were sanctioned for the reason you've given - normally, that'd be a re-arranged or telephone appointment instead. Sanctions only kick in after repeated missed appointments with no explanation or failure to look for work.

So why were you really sanctioned?

RagingWoke · 13/08/2022 14:15

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. But it's done now so you need to be practical. Mental note to make sure you contact them if you can't make any appointments in the future.

Immediately- is there anyone who you could ask to borrow some money from to see you through? Local charities you can contact? Even someone who has a pack of pads or tampons and some tins in the cupboard.
If you want to share the area you live in you might get some specific advice.

Have you appealed the sanction and explained why you missed the appointment(s)?

I don't think stopping sanctions would have the impact you'd want other than your specific situation.

RagingWoke · 13/08/2022 14:16

AngelfishDecay · 13/08/2022 14:10

If you're short of money, then do what I had to do on UC - borrow money, take stuff to Cash Converters, throw yourself on your friends' and family's charity. You know, you could even try getting a job - go to an employment agency and take what they offer you, just so that you can eat.

In short, help yourself. Be pro-active.

I'm really surprised you were sanctioned for the reason you've given - normally, that'd be a re-arranged or telephone appointment instead. Sanctions only kick in after repeated missed appointments with no explanation or failure to look for work.

So why were you really sanctioned?

It says in the OP she has a job starting in September.

Happyhippy99 · 13/08/2022 14:17

It’s entirely your fault for missing appointments and not communicating the reasons with the benefits agency.
Perhaps they thought you’d gone on holiday ? You need to regard UC as your work. If I don’t turn up for work without informing the hospital of the reason, then I would have a disciplinary meeting. In your case it’s called a sanction.

PollyRockets · 13/08/2022 14:19

Unfortunately you've learned a lesson most learn well before adulthood

Actions have consequences

You didn't communicate with them when missing appointments

It is on you

NinaBalatka · 13/08/2022 14:20

Springbunbun · 13/08/2022 13:59

Absolutely not sorry but if I had a work meeting I didn’t attend to because I was visiting a sick relative without prior approval I’d be “sanctioned” in the terms of a management meeting and probably a warning. UC needs to be treated as a important as a job is.

totally different if it was a call such as come now to the hospital …

Agreed!

ZeroFuchsGiven · 13/08/2022 14:20

There are some really nasty replies on this thread, there is just no need.

Underanothersky · 13/08/2022 14:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

amylou8 · 13/08/2022 14:24

It's so easy to get in touch with them by logging in and leaving a message on your journal. It takes two minutes and you don't have to talk to them. There's really no excuse not to have done this. They'll also not sanction for a one off, rather an ongoing pattern. It sounds like you're having a tough time at the moment, so I don't mean to be cruel, but communication is the key to stop it happening again.

cadburyegg · 13/08/2022 14:26

I don't necessarily agree that sanctions should be removed but they need to be applied fairly which in your case and many others, they aren't. I know of people who have been sanctioned because they weren't informed of an appointment that they then "missed". Communication is dire it seems.

I don't fully understand OP why you've been left with so little to live on. The single over 25 rate for UC is £334.91- where does the £110 come from? When does your sanction end? Did you appeal? Can you access a food bank this weekend and say you need sanitary products?

Good luck with your job Flowers

Workyticket · 13/08/2022 14:27

Some of these responses are harsh but beimg on UC should be treated like being employed.

If you have a meeting you can't just not turn up

Sanctions are there because the system has been abused - it can't take everyone's circumstances separately so everyone has to abide by the few rules that they do have

Floofboopsnootandbork · 13/08/2022 14:32

I don’t want to come off like I’m attacking you but if you were sanctioned it wasn’t because you missed one appointment. I’ve been on UC and I could miss up to 3 appointments with no communication before being sanctioned and as many as needed if I communicated that I wouldn’t be there with enough time. I rarely missed an appointment but when I did without communication they were happy to let it go after the fact when I then told them the reason I missed it.

If you only received 110 last month were you sanctioned then aswell? Did you not get the cost of living payment?

Are you able to borrow money from someone until you’re able to apply for the hardship payment?