Household Benefit Cap

The Benefit Cap was introduced in NI in May 2016. This restricts the amount of money a person or household can receive on certain benefits.

Some of the benefits that are received by you, your partner or any children that live with you and are responsible for are added together to work out if you are above the limit.

The following benefits will be totalled:

  • Carer Allowance
  • Child Benefit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Employment & Support Allowance
  • Housing Benefit
  • Incapacity Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Jobseeker Allowance
  • Maternity Allowance
  • Severe Disablement Allowance

This list is not exhaustive, further information is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/welfare-changes

If the total of your benefit is above the maximum allowance then your housing benefit will be reduced accordingly:

  • £384.62 per week for lone parents or couples (with or without children)
  • £257.69 per week for single claimants

Tenants Not Affected

It does not apply if you or your partner qualify for Working Tax Credit or if you, your partner or any children you are responsible for and who live with you receive one of the following benefits:

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Carer Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • ESA (except where the Support component has been awarded)

This list is not exhaustive, further information is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/welfare-changes

For those affected by the Benefit Cap, it is administered through a reduction in Housing Benefit.  If your household is or becomes affected by the Benefit Cap, you will receive a Housing Benefit Award Notification from NIHE advising that your Housing Benefit will reduce due to the Benefit Cap.

Households affected by the Benefit Cap may be entitled to a Supplementary Payment provided that they are receiving one of the benefits included in the Benefit Cap Calculation.

Households affected by the Benefit Cap and not eligible for the Supplementary Payment may be eligible to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment to make up for the reduction in their Housing Benefit.