The benefit cap

There is a limit on the total amount of benefit that most working age people can get. This is called the benefit cap.

The cap is:

• £384.62  a week for families (with or without children)
• £384.62  a week for single parents whose children live with them
• £257.69 a week for single adults who don’t have children, or whose children don’t live with them.

The benefit cap does not apply:

• to people who are old enough to qualify for pension credit
• if anyone in your household qualifies for Working Tax Credit, or if you get certain benefits including Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, the support component of Employment and Support Allowance
• for the first 39 weeks of unemployment if you, or your partner, had been working continuously for the previous 12 months.

See whether the cap applies to you, and how it’s worked out, on the government’s website.

The effect on Housing Benefit

If the cap affects you, we reduce your Housing Benefit so that your total income isn't above the limit. This means that you may have to use money from your other benefits to pay some or all of your rent. 

If you would like further information, then please contact us to discuss.