The Benefit Cap is an upper limit on the amount of benefit a household can receive. It applies if you or your partner (if you have one) is of working age.
For more information about the benefit cap, visit the nidirect website
What are the Benefit Cap limits?
The Benefit Cap limits are:
- £423.46 a week if your household is made up of a couple (with or without children) or you are a lone parent and you have children living with you, for whom you are responsible
- £283.71 a week if you are a single person and have no children living with you
What benefits count towards Benefit Cap?
The following benefits all count towards your household income:
- Bereavement Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance (except where the support component has been awarded)
- Housing Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
- Widow’s Pension (age-related)
How is the Benefit Cap administered?
For those affected by the Benefit Cap, it is administered through a reduction in Housing Benefit. If your household is, or becomes affected by the Benefit Cap, you will receive a notification from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, advising that your Housing Benefit amount will reduce due to the Benefit Cap.
This letter will also detail the benefits and itemised amounts used to calculate the Benefit Cap.
The Benefit Cap might apply to your income from Universal Credit together with other benefits such as Child Benefit.