Benefit Cap

The government’s intention is that no welfare claimant will receive in total more than the average annual household income after tax and national insurance – estimated in 2013 at £26,000, this cap began in April 2013.

The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit a person can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age.

It affects people on Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. The amount of money you can get in benefits before the Benefit Cap applies depends on where you live, if you're single and if you have children in your household who are responsible for.

Further information