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The Benefit Cap

Last updated: 13/02/2025

The Benefit Cap is a limit on the total amount of benefits you can be paid each year. This cap is set by the UK government. If the benefits you get add up to more than the Benefit Cap, you will not be paid the full amount. In Scotland the Scottish Government have a mitigation policy which is there to remove the impact of the cap.

How will the amount over the Benefit Cap be deducted?

All the benefits you are getting, that affect the cap, will be added together and any amount over the benefit cap will be deducted from your Universal Credit.

How much is the Benefit Cap?

The Benefit Cap is £22,020 per annum (£423.46 per week) for a couple or single parent household and £14,753 per annum (£283.71) for single people.

Benefits included in the cap are:

  • Bereavement Allowance
  • Child Benefit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Maternity Allowance
  • Universal Credit
  • Widowed Parent’s Allowance
  • Housing benefit
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Severe Disablement Allowance

Where can I find out if I qualify for help?

You can get in touch with us on our channels and we can give advice and information and explain how to apply for support, one of our advisers can be contacted here.

What can I do if I am affected by the UK Government DWP Benefit Cap?

If you are affected by the benefit cap, you can apply to your local council for a Discretionary Housing Payment to help make up for the money you lose due to the cap.

If you are affected by the benefits cap and in need of help, contact DWP through:

People not affected by the Benefit Cap

You are not affected by the cap if you:

  • get Working Tax Credit (even if the amount you receive is £0)
  • get Universal Credit because of a disability or health condition that stops you from working
  • get Universal Credit because you care for someone who has a disability
  • get Universal Credit and you and your partner have combined earnings of £793 or more a month, after tax and National Insurance contributions

You’re not affected by the cap if you or any children under 18 who live with you get:

  • Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
  • Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Carer Support Payment
  • Child Disability Payment
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (if you receive the support component)
  • Guardian’s Allowance
  • Industrial Injuries Benefits (also equivalent payments as part of a War Disablement Pension or the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme)
  • Pension Age Disability Payment
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • War pensions
  • War Widow’s or War Widower’s Pension

For more information visit Benefit Cap.

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