What Is the Benefit Cap?

The Benefit Cap is a limit to the amount of benefit you receive in total. It is applied to combined income from main out of work benefits plus Housing Benefit, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit. The Welfare Reform and Work Act (2016) introduced some changes to the benefit cap and from 7 November 2016 the amounts have reduced to:

• If you are a couple (with or without children): £384.62 per week
• If you are a single parent: £384.62 per week
• If you are a single adult without children (or they do not live with you): £257.69 per week

For more information about the benefit cap changes please visit www.gov.uk/benefit-cap

If you struggle to pay your rent due to the Benefit Cap then you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment. You can do this by visiting our online services section.