Employment and Support Allowance - hardship payments
Only people who would usually get income-related Employment and Support Allowance can get a hardship payment.
You may be able to get hardship payments of income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if your ESA is being paid at a reduced (or nil) rate.
If you are getting contribution-based ESA you may also be able to make a claim for hardship payments in limited circumstances. If you are in this position you should seek advice.
You can qualify for hardship payments of income-related ESA if ;
- if you have been sanctioned for failing to take part in a work-focused interview or for failing to undertake work-related activity; or
- if you have committed a benefit offence; and
- you, your partner or a child (must usually be getting Child Benefit for the child) for whom you or your partner are responsible would experience hardship if payments were not made.