What is the Benefit cap?

There has been a limit put on the total amount of benefits that working age households can receive if your getting either housing benefit or universal credit. This is called the benefit cap.

Some people are exempt from the benefit cap. This will depend on your individual situation, and/or the benefits you or your partner are getting, or children, if appropriate.

Any amount of money received in benefits that exceeds this benefit cap limit will affect housing benefit or universal credit. It can be taken from housing benefit (on a weekly basis) or universal credit (on a monthly basis). Refer to the benefit cap amounts table.

Further information on the benefit cap can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Page last updated: 11 March 2024