•You and your partner may have to take part in work-focused interviews for income support (IS), jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance (ESA) and carer’s allowance. In some cases, if you fail to take part in an interview when you claim IS, you are not entitled to benefit.

•If you only qualify for IS because you are a lone parent and you do not have any children under three, or you are entitled to ESA and you are not in the ‘support group’, you may be required to undertake some work-related activity.

•If you do not take part in work-focused interviews or undertake work-related activity and you cannot show a good cause, you may be given a sanction. Your benefit is then paid at a reduced rate. However, you may qualify for hardship payments.