Most beneficiaries who are sanctioned by the Ministry of Social Development end up in further hardship.
Many of them don't know they can challenge the decision - and that there's a high chance it'll be overturned.
New research by the Christchurch-based Beneficiary Advisory Service has found some people don't understand why their payments have been cut, or what they need to do to avoid it.
Social issues reporter Sarah Robson has the story.
