Benefit Cap

After April 2013, the amount of weekly benefits – including child benefit – a household can receive will be limited or ‘capped’ at £500 for a couple (with or without children) or lone parent, or £350 for a single person.

What benefits are included in the cap?

Child benefit is included but the cap won’t apply if someone in your household is claiming any of the following:

• Working Tax Credits
• War Widows’ or Widowers’ Pension
• The support component of Employment and Support Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance
• Industrial Injuries Benefits
• War Disablement Pension and equivalent payments under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

How will I know if I’m affected?

The DWP is writing to all those who will be affected with details of the DWP Helpline telephone number and contact details for enquiries about the cap. From the helpline, you will be signposted to your local JobcentrePlus office for employment support and to your local Council for housing support enquiries.

In some instances, tenants of temporary accommodation provided under homelessness legislation will be subject to the cap, due to the level of weekly rent charge.

What can I do if I’m concerned about the cap?

Seek advice to ensure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to and to identify whether you qualify for any of the benefits that make you exempt from the cap.