9. Good reason
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9. Good reason
With the exception of higher-level sanction misconduct cases, you can avoid a sanction if you can show that there was a ‘good reason’ for what you did or did not do. Good reason is not defined in law. DWP guidance lists three points that need to be looked at when deciding whether or not you had a good reason.
    ■What would it be reasonable to expect someone to do in the particular circumstances (ie was the action or failure to act preventable)?
    ■What did you do or fail to do that was different from the expected action?
    ■What were your reasons for your action or failure to act?
If you have a record of previous failures, the DWP will take this into account when making their decision.
Advice for Decision Making, Chapter K2 , paras K2022 & 2041
Examples of circumstances that may be treated as contributing to good reason for an action or failure to act include where you:
    ■are a victim of domestic violence;
    ■have a mental health condition or disorder (see below );
    ■are the victim of bu
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