Sanctions

With all this fuss about benefits, work and poverty I am curious of emergency situations. Situations where one is without work, on benefits and gets sanctioned due to consecutive error (regardless of whether it was the claimants fault).

These sanctions seem to be quite damn harsh! What does one do if ever in such situation? If they were sanctioned for being unable to meet the demands of a work placement, are they eligible for hardship payments?

I've heard conflicting information: some say that they are whether they intend to/can work or not and are there to fill the time between sanctions/benefit applications, and others say that they are not eligible for hardship payments.

Thanks!