From autumn 2016 the Household Benefit Cap has been set at £20,000 a year for families, couples and lone parents and £13,400 for single people living outside London.

The maximum amount of benefit that can be received on a weekly basis is:

• £384.62 a week, for families, couples and lone parents; or
• £257.69 a week, for single people

The benefits included in the cap and exemptions can be found here.

If your household receives more in benefit than the cap for your family type, your housing benefit or universal credit housing costs element will be reduced accordingly.

If this affects you then you should have already received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions, outlining how much your housing benefit or universal credit housing costs element will reduce by. If you have concerns about how you will manage your money under the lowered cap contact the team for support.