Understanding Hardship Payments in the UK
Hardship Payments are for anyone who has been sanctioned and had their benefits cut. It is available if you can show you or your family will experience hardship without the money.
Table Of Contents
What are Hardship Payments?
Hardship Payments are reduced payments of three benefits, made in limited circumstances, including if you have been sanctioned. The benefits are:
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit (UC)
They are emergency payments. They are less than you would usually get through benefits. You may have to pay back Universal Credit Hardship Payments.
Can I get a Hardship Payment?
You may get a Hardship Payment if you have stopped receiving your normal benefits and are in financial hardship. This type of government aid is only for those who usually receive benefits that have been reduced or stopped.
Eligibility for Hardship Payments
To apply you need to prove that you do not have enough money to pay for basic essentials. These can include hygiene products and food. This involves showing that you do not have the cash or savings for these and that no one else can help you to pay for them.
What benefits are eligible for Hardship Payments?
You may be eligible if you usually receive the following benefits:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit (UC)
Benefits sanctions happen if you have not carried out a condition related to your benefits, such as attend an interview. Sanctions also apply if you have committed fraud.
If you do not have enough money for basic essentials such as rent, food or heating, you may be eligible if you:
- Are vulnerable
- Care for people who will be at risk without this money
- Can show you have tried to get other help, such as from friends, family or charities
You aren't expected to sell things or go into debt. You don't have to use foodbanks.
Jobseeker’s Allowance Hardship Payment
You can only apply for this type of payment if you usually receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (i-JSA). If your payment has been cut, you may be eligible. The following must also apply:
- You are in a vulnerable group, you have a chronic medical condition or you care for someone else and the DWP thinks you (or your partner) do not satisfy the job-seeking conditions.
- Your JSA has been suspended because there is doubt about whether you (or your partner) are meeting job-seeking conditions
- Your JSA is reduced because of a sanction
If you receive the new style JSA and it has been sanctioned, you won’t be able to apply for a JSA Hardship Payment. You may be eligible for a Universal Credit Hardship Payment. You can get further information from a charity such as Turn2Us.
Employment and Support Allowance Hardship Payment
If you usually receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance (i-ESA) you will only be eligible if:
- Your i-ESA is being paid at a lower rate or it’s been stopped
- You, your partner or a child (who usually receives Child Benefit) for whom you or your partner are responsible would experience hardship if payments were not made
- You have been sanctioned for failing to take part in a work-focused interview or work-related activity or you have committed a benefit offence.
Universal Credit Hardship Payments
If you receive Universal Credit and the amount of money has been reduced or stopped, you may be eligible for a Hardship Payment. These payments are the only type that need to be paid back.
You may be eligible in the following circumstances:
- You or your partner (aged 18 or over) have been sanctioned, you are taking part in work preparation or a work search and the DWP accepts you'll face hardship if you don't get this payment
- You haven’t failed to meet a work-related requirement in the last seven days
How to apply for Hardship Payments
The way you apply for Hardship Payments depends on which benefit you normally receive.
You will be expected to:
- Show evidence of why you need the money.
- Provide evidence that no one else can offer you financial support. This includes friends and family members and local charities.
The application process
If you usually receive JSA or ESA, you will need to apply for a Hardship Payment through the DWP. If you get Universal Credit your work coach should help you.
Where to apply for Hardship Payments
Benefit you usually receive |
How to apply for a Hardship Payment |
|---|---|
JSA or ESA |
Contact the DWP on 0800 1690310. You can also visit a Jobcentre Plus office. An appointment will be made with a hardship officer and you will need to fill out the JSA/ESA10JP forms. |
Universal Credit |
Contact your work coach or request a Hardship Payment through your online journal. You can contact the UC helpline on 0800 328 5644. You will need to attend an appointment to explain why you need the payment. |
What documents are required?
You will need to prove you do not have the money to pay for basic essentials. The DWP will ask for evidence of this and this may include the following:
- Your name, date of birth, National Insurance number and address
- Details of the benefits you’re receiving
- Evidence of disabilities for you or any dependents
- Birth certificates for any children who depend on you financially
- Bank statements to show you do not have any other income
- Proof you have asked other people for help
How much are Hardship Payments?
The money paid through a Hardship Payment is around 60% of the amount you usually receive, according to Citizens Advice. It is calculated into a daily amount by the DWP, multiplied by the number of days you have been sanctioned for.
How much financial aid can I get?
Hardship Payments are paid out for a limited number of days. If you need another one, you will need to complete the application process again.
If it is a Universal Credit Hardship Payment, you must reapply during each UC assessment period in which you are sanctioned.
How Hardship Payments work with different benefits
Benefit you’re usually receiving |
Amount of money you could receive |
|---|---|
Universal Credit |
60% of your usual Universal Credit |
ESA |
You will usually receive 60% of your usual ESA, or £54.30. If you are pregnant or someone in the house is seriously ill, you may be able to receive 80%, or £72.40 per week. |
JSA |
60% of your usual JSA |
Impact of Hardship Payments on future benefits
The only Hardship Payment you must pay back is the Universal Credit payment. This is taken from your next UC benefit money.
You can get advice from MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice or Turn2Us or by contacting the Universal Credit helpline or the DWP. These organisations can help you to check that you are receiving the correct rates of payment, especially if your benefits have been sanctioned.
How to manage financial hardship
If you are struggling financially, there is help available. The cost-of-living crisis has pushed up prices and hit those with low incomes hardest.
Citizens Advice warned in September 2023 that one in four people were behind on at least one bill.
Budgeting and debt management
Managing your money by setting a budget is vital. If you have expensive debts, such as credit cards or short-term loans, and you’re struggling to pay them off, contact the They will be able to speak to you about what options are available.
You should also check you’re receiving the right benefits.
Seeking professional financial advice
You can speak to a free, independent adviser at any of the UK’s leading debt charities. You should not have to pay for this help. They will be able to review your options and can act on your behalf with creditors if needed.
They include:
FAQs about Hardship Payments
Here are some of the most common questions relating to Hardship Payments:
When do they need to be repaid?
You only need to repay a Hardship Payment if you receive Universal Credit. It will be taken from your future payments, reducing the amount of money you receive until it is repaid.
How long does it take to get paid?
Some Hardship Payments are paid immediately into your account. Others will be paid on the date you receive your next benefit payment.
What other financial help is available?
You may be able to receive government aid from your local council, through the Household Support Fund. This is organised by local areas –find yours online. Money is available to those who urgently need it, in certain circumstances.
You may also be eligible for a budgeting advance if you receive Universal Credit, which will need to be paid back.
Hardship Payments: A summary
The cost-of-living crisis has put millions of people under pressure financially as prices have risen and budgets have been squeezed. If you receive benefits and you are sanctioned, you can still apply for money through a Hardship Payment. You will have to prove you are in desperate financial need, but if approved you will continue to receive some money during your sanction.
Just remember, if you are on Universal Credit this will need to be paid back. Before you decide, remember you can always talk to a debt or benefits adviser at a charity. They can talk you through your options and explain the pros and cons of receiving this payment.