Calculate Your Benefit Cap
Enter your weekly benefit amounts below to see whether the benefit cap applies to your household.
Weekly Benefit Amounts
Total weekly benefits entered: £0.00
2026 Benefit Cap Limits
| Household type | London (weekly) | London (annual) | Outside London (weekly) | Outside London (annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Families & couples | £442.31 | £23,000 | £376.15 | £19,560 |
| Single adults | £296.35 | £15,410 | £251.77 | £13,092 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the benefit cap in 2026?
The benefit cap in 2026 limits the total amount of benefits working-age households can receive. For families and lone parents in London the cap is £442.31 per week (£23,000 per year). Outside Greater London the cap is £376.15 per week (£19,560 per year). For single people without children the cap is £296.35 per week (£15,410 per year) in London, and £251.77 per week (£13,092 per year) elsewhere.
Which benefits are included in the benefit cap?
Benefits included in the cap calculation include: Housing Benefit or the housing cost element of Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (work-related activity group), Income Support, and Universal Credit standard and child elements. Benefits NOT included (which exempt you) include: PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Carer's Allowance, and ESA (support group).
How can I avoid the benefit cap?
You are exempt from the benefit cap if you or your partner work 16 or more hours per week and qualify for Working Tax Credit, or if you, your partner or a child in your household receives: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (support group component), Carer's Allowance, or the War Widow's/Widower's pension.
Does Universal Credit include the benefit cap?
Yes. If you claim Universal Credit and the benefit cap applies to your household, your UC award will be reduced to bring your total benefits within the cap limit. The reduction is applied to the housing cost element of your UC first. If your housing costs are not enough to absorb the full reduction, the cap reduction will come from other UC elements. The DWP calculates your total benefit income and reduces UC accordingly each month.
Is the benefit cap the same everywhere in the UK?
No. The benefit cap varies by location. Higher caps apply within Greater London because of higher housing costs. The cap applies in England, Scotland and Wales. It does not apply in Northern Ireland, which has its own separate arrangements. Within London, the higher cap applies regardless of the specific borough. Outside Greater London, the lower cap applies across England, Scotland and Wales equally.