The government introduced a limit on the total benefits that working age people can be paid. This limit should help match the income of average working families with people receiving out of work benefits.

How much is the benefit cap?

The benefit cap was introduced to ensure that households that do not work should no longer receive more in benefits than the average earnings of working households (after tax and national insurance deductions).

The cap

• £384.62 for couples (with or without children living with them)
• £384.62 for one parent households
• £257.69 for single person households

Use the Benefit Cap calculator to find out how the benefit cap affects you.

Exemptions

Some claimants are exempt from the cap, this includes people in receipt of:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Working Tax Credit

More information is available on the Gov.uk website - Benefit Cap