Benefit cap

If you’re of working age, there is a limit to the amount of benefit you can get.

Your capped amount will be based on the total amount of benefits that you and your partner can get. If the total amount of your benefits is more than the cap level, your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will be reduced.

For more information, visit GOV.UK - Benefit cap.

Benefits included in the cap

The following benefits will be affected by the cap:

• Bereavement Allowance
• Child Benefit
• Child Tax Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (contribution-based and income-based) except where the support component has been awarded
• Housing Benefit
• Incapacity Benefit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance (contribution-based and income-based)
• Maternity Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Widowed Parent's Allowance
• Universal Credit

Exempt benefits not included in the cap

The following benefits will not be affected by the cap:

• Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (paid at any rate)
• Guardian's Allowance
• Industrial injuries benefits
• Personal Independent Payment
• Support component of Employment and Support Allowance
• War Pensions
• War Widows or Widowers Pension
• Working Tax Credit

For more information about these benefits and how to claim, visit GOV.UK - Manage an existing benefit, payment or claim.

What you can do if you're affected by the cap

If you're affected by the benefit cap, you have the following options available:

• Find work or increase your working hours to enable you to get Working Tax Credit. This will mean that the benefit cap will not apply to you. You may be entitled to Working Tax Credit if you are already in receipt of Child Tax Credit and:
• • single, have children and work at least 16 hours per week
  • a couple, have children and work at least 24 hours per week
  • single, aged 25 to 59 and work at least 30 hours per week
  • single, aged 60 or over and work at least 16 hours per week
• If you claim your housing costs through Universal Credit, please refer to Universal Credit information at GOV.UK - Universal Credit: What you'll get
• Apply for any of the exempt benefits listed above that you may be entitled to
• Get money management advice to help you budget for the shortfall in your rent from your own income
• If you're struggling with debts, get advice about managing your debts and increasing your income
• Try to negotiate a lower rent with your landlord or find other accommodation that's more affordable