The benefit cap

There are exemptions to the cap where someone in the household:

• Is in receipt of universal credit because of a disability or health condition that stops them working
• Is of pension age or in receipt of war widow's or widower's allowance
• Is in receipt of war pensions
• Is in receipt of disability living allowance or personal independence payment
• Is in receipt of constant attendance allowance 
• Is in receipt of the support component of employment support allowance
• Is in receipt of industrial injuries benefits
• Is in receipt of guardian's allowance
• Is in receipt of carer's allowance
• Is in receipt of Armed Forces compensation scheme
• Is in receipt of Armed Forces independence payment
• Is in receipt of universal credit and you and your partner earn more than £881 a month combined after tax and national insurance contributions
• Is in receipt of universal credit because they care for someone with a disability

Which benefits and payments are not included in the benefit cap?

• Council tax support
• Discretionary discount fund
• Crisis and Resilience fund housing payment
• Any one-off payments of: budgeting loans, cold weather payments, community care grants, crisis loans, funeral payments, sure start maternity grants
• Pension credit
• Residency order payments
• Statutory adoption pay - paid by employers
• Statutory maternity pay - paid by employers
• Statutory paternity pay - paid by employers
• Statutory sick pay - paid by employers
• Winter fuel payment

Last updated: 22/09/2026 11:55