Overview
The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit you can get. It applies to most people aged 16 or over who have not reached State Pension age who claim means tested benefits and maternity or bereavement benefits
You might not be affected by the benefit cap if you get certain benefits or you’re over State Pension age.
This is the most you can get if you’re affected by the cap and live outside London.
The figures in this table are rounded to the nearest pound.
| 2025/26 | Monthly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Families with children | £1,835 | £423 |
| Couples without children | £1,835 | £423 |
| Single people | £1,229 | £284 |
Universal Credit ‘Grace Period’
The benefit cap might not affect your Universal Credit payments for up to 9 months. This is called the ‘grace period’.
You’ll get the grace period if all of the following are true:
- you’re claiming Universal Credit because you stopped working or your earnings went down
- you’re now earning less than £846 a month
- in each of the 12 months before your earnings went down or you stopped working, you earned the same as or more than the earnings threshold (this was £793 up to 31 March 2025 and is £846 from 1 April 2025)
Your partner’s earnings will be included when working out how much you earned even if they’re not claiming benefits. If you have separated from your partner, their earnings will be included for the time that you lived with them before you separated.
Benefits that are affected by the benefits cap
- Child Benefit
- Employment and Support Allowance (except when in the Support Group)
- Housing Benefit (except for households in Supported Exempt Accommodation)
- Incapacity Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Reduced Earnings Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Universal Credit (except the Childcare Costs element)
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance, Widowed Mother’s Allowance, Widow’s Pension.
Claimants not affected by the benefits cap
You’re not affected by the cap if you or your partner:
- get Universal Credit because of a disability or health condition that stops you from working (this is called ‘limited capability for work and work-related activity’)
- get Universal Credit because you care for someone with a disability
- get Universal Credit and you and your partner earn £846 or more a month combined, after tax and National Insurance contributions
Help if you’re affected by the benefit cap
Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you’re affected by the benefit cap and you need help.
If you need help paying your rent or a rent deposit, contact Ashford Borough Council as well. They can check if you’re eligible for a discretionary housing payment, which is not affected by the benefit cap.
If you get Universal Credit, contact DWP either:
- through the journal in your online account
- by calling the Universal Credit helpline
If you do not get Universal Credit contact the benefit cap helpline on 0800 169 0145
Last Updated on June 10, 2026 by Ashford Advice