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Written question asked by Beth Winter (Labour) on Friday, 4 March 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 March 2022. It was answered by Mims Davies (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 March 2022 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish her Department's assessment of the impact of social security sanctions on the mental health of recipients.

Answer

The Department have made no assessment of the impact of social security sanctions on the mental health of recipients. The Department supports research on a range of areas and will consider each project or application on its merit.

Sanctions are only applied where a claimant fails to comply with a mandatory requirement set out in their claimant commitment such as a failure to attend an appointment. When considering whether a sanction is appropriate, a Decision Maker will take all the claimant’s individual circumstances, including any health conditions or disabilities and any evidence of good reason, into account before deciding whether a sanction is warranted.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
134415
Session
2021-22
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Disqualification Mental health Social security benefits
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk