Important changes if you don’t meet your obligations

The vast majority (over 98%) of our clients are doing the right thing and meeting their obligations. They’re at green in the traffic light system.

If you don’t meet your obligations for the first time, and you don’t have a good reason, your benefit may be reduced by 50%. This is a sanction, or consequence, for not doing what’s required to get your benefit. 

Report Job Search and Upskilling activities

From 20 October 2025, if you're at the red traffic light, and depending on your situation, you may have one of these sanctions instead of having your benefit reduced:

• Report Job Search – this means you'll need to do, then record, at least 3 suitable job search activities in MyMSD, for 4 weeks. Introduced from 20 October.
• Upskilling – you'll need to do and then record at least 5 hours of employment-related training programmes or courses each week, for 4 weeks. Introduced from 20 October.
• Community Work Experience - you'll need to get a position at a community or voluntary organisation for at least 5 hours a week, for 4 weeks.
• Money Management - you'll need to have 50% of your benefit go onto a payment card that you can use at approved stores. The other 50% of your benefit will keep being paid into your bank account.

These will only apply to you if you have dependent children or a 'dedicated case manager' – your case manager will find out more about your situation during an appointment. Each non-financial sanction has different criteria and your circumstances will be taken into consideration.

Getting back on track

If you haven't met your obligations (e.g. missed a seminar or appointment), get in touch with us straight away. We'll let you know what you need to do to get back on track.