The benefit cap
Last updated: 24/02/2026
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.
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Get in touch todayHow will the amount over the benefit cap be deducted?
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 per week) for single people without children.
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 our advisors here and we can support you and explain how to apply for support.
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:
- the journal section of your online account
- if your Universal Credit is affected, phone the Universal Credit Helpline on 0800 328 5644 between Monday and Friday, 8am to 6pm
- if your other benefits are affected, call the benefit cap Helpline on 0800 169 0145 between Monday and Friday, 8am to 6pm
People not affected by the benefit cap
You are not affected by the cap if you:
- 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.