PART 2Universal credit

CHAPTER 2Claimant responsibilities

Reduction of benefit

Other sanctions32

1

The amount of an award of universal credit is to be reduced in accordance with this Article in the event of a failure by a claimant which is sanctionable under this Article.

2

It is a failure sanctionable under this Article if a claimant—

a

fails for no good reason to comply with a work-related requirement;

b

fails for no good reason to comply with a requirement under Article 28.

3

But a failure by a claimant is not sanctionable under this Article if it is also a failure sanctionable under Article 31.

4

Regulations are to provide for—

a

the amount of a reduction under this Article, and

b

the period for which such a reduction has effect.

5

Regulations under paragraph (4)(b) may provide that a reduction under this Article in relation to any failure is to have effect for—

a

a period continuing until the claimant meets a compliance condition specified by the Department,

b

a fixed period not exceeding 26 weeks which is—

i

specified in the regulations, or

ii

determined in any case by the Department, or

c

a combination of both.

6

In paragraph (5)(a) “compliance condition” means—

a

a condition that the failure ceases, or

b

a condition relating to future compliance with a work-related requirement or a requirement under Article 28.

7

A compliance condition specified under paragraph (5)(a) may be—

a

revoked or varied by the Department;

b

notified to the claimant in such manner as the Department may determine.

8

A period fixed under paragraph (5)(b) may in particular depend on either or both the following—

a

the number of failures by the claimant sanctionable under this Article;

b

the period between such failures.

9

Regulations may provide—

a

for cases in which no reduction is to be made under this Article;

b

for a reduction under this Article made in relation to an award that is terminated to be applied to any new award made within a prescribed period of the termination;

c

for the termination or suspension of a reduction under this Article.