Check if the Benefit Cap applies to you

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The Benefit Cap is a limit to the total amount of money you can get from benefits. The Benefit Cap will only apply if you get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
Your benefits will be reduced if you get more than the limit that applies for your circumstances – this means you’ll get less Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.

Check if your benefits will be affected

Your circumstances might mean the Benefit Cap won’t apply to you – it’s important to check. If you get Housing Benefit check if the benefit cap will affect you on GOV.UK. If you get Universal Credit (and you’re 18 or over), you can use the Turn2us benefits calculator to check how you’ll be affected. You’ll need to know the benefits everyone in your household gets to use the calculators. Your household means you, your partner and any children you’re responsible for. You won’t need to give any personal information.

Check what the Benefit Cap limit is

The amount of money you can get in benefits before the Benefit Cap applies depends on things like:
  • where you live
  • if you’re single
  • if you have children in your household – this means they live with you and you’re responsible for them
Your circumstances Benefit Cap limit
In a couple or have children and live outside London £384.62 a week
In a couple or have children and live in London £442.31 a week
Single and live outside London £257.69 a week
Single and live in London £296.35 a week

If you don’t think your benefits should have been reduced

You should challenge the decision if you think a mistake has been made when calculating your benefits. Find out how to challenge a benefit decision. Contact us if you need more help working out how the Benefit Cap will affect you or if you want help challenging a benefit decision.

Get extra help with your living costs

If your benefits are reduced because of the Benefit Cap you might be able to get help with your living costs, for example help paying your rent. Check what extra help you could get if you don’t have enough to live on. Contact us if you need more help with your living costs because your benefits have been reduced.

Welfare Benefits