The sanction assessment process is separate to Cash Assistance eligibility determination. The sanction assessment determines if an individual may be subject to a sanction, and the penalty that should be imposed. The sanctions are not created automatically. Caseworkers manually create the sanctions.
The sanction assessment information is highlighted to the caseworker if the individual(s) fails the sanction assessment. If a sanction assessment failure occurs the caseworker must decide what action should be taken. The caseworker may choose to sanction or override the sanction for the individual(s). The sanction assessment information displays the reason the individual(s) may be subject to a sanction and the appropriate penalty that should be imposed.
Individuals who are sanctioned are generally ineligible for assistance. In some circumstances a sanction imposed on an individual member of a household may make the entire household unit ineligible. In other circumstances a sanction may result in a reduction in benefit for the entire household unit.
The penalty which may be imposed as a result of failure of program requirements depends on a number of factors