Introduction
Benefit Cap for adults of working age
The first Benefit Cap was introduced in Harrow in August 2013. As part of the Government's welfare reforms, changes will be made to the Benefit Cap from November 2016.
What is the Benefit Cap?
It is a limit to the total amount of income a household can receive in certain benefits. If the amount that you receive in benefits is above the Benefit Cap, your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit will be reduced until your combined benefits are within the Benefit Cap limits.
How much is the Benefit Cap?
Please view the table below to see the Benefit Cap amounts from November 2016:
| Adults who live in Harrow and Greater London | |
| Couples (with or without children living with them) | £442.31 a week |
| Single parents whose children live with them | £442.31 a week |
| Single adults who do not have children, or whose children do not live with them | £296.35 a week |
| Adults who live outside of Greater London | |
| Couples (with or without children living with them) | £384.62 a week |
| Single parents whose children live with them | £384.62 a week |
| Single adults who do not have children, or whose children do not live with them | £257.69 a week |
How does this affect you?
If you currently receive benefits, your Housing Benefit may already have been capped based on the current Benefit Cap levels. The amount that you receive may change from November 2016. If you are likely to be affected by the changes, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you to let you know what will happen to your benefits.
Benefit Cap calculator
You can use the Benefit Cap calculator to find out if you will be affected, and by how much.
We will write to you to inform you if you will be affected by the Benefit Cap.
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