Benefit cap and recent welfare changes

Household benefit cap

The Government has put a limit on the total amount of benefit that working age people can receive which means that households claiming out of work benefits will no longer receive more in benefits than the average wage paid to those who are working. A cap is placed on the total credits and benefits received from HM Revenue and Customs, Department for Work and Pensions and the Local Authority.

The cap will be applied through deductions from Housing Benefit payments.

How much is the benefit cap?

The actual amount of the cap is as follows:

• a maximum of £283.71 a week if you're a single person and you have no children living with you
• a maximum of £423.46 a week if you're either a couple, with or without dependant children OR a lone parent with dependant children

Are there any exceptions to the benefit cap?

The cap will not apply if you or a member of your household qualify for Working Tax Credit or get any of the following benefits:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Benefits
• Employment and Support Allowance, if paid with the support component
• War Widow's or War Widower's Pension
• Carers Allowance
• Guardians Allowance