Starting 12 August 2013:
This change has been introduced by Government as they want to make sure any person or family on benefits will not receive more than the average wage of any working household.
For a single person household the limit to the amount of benefits they will receive will be £350.00 per week.
For couples with or without children and single parent families, the maximum benefit they will receive will be £500 per week.
This will not affect you if:
- you receive Pension Credit or Working Tax Credit
- If you or a member of your household receives Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or the Support Element of Employment Support Allowance.
Please also see the DWP's factsheet on the Benefit Cap
How will this work?
In practice this means that if you receive more than the above amounts, your money will be reduced to the limits as set out above from April 2013. If you are not sure if you could be affected, please either contact us on 0800 085 65 75 or a alternatively you can also check GOV.UK website benefit cap calculator, which will give you an estimate.
We also advise that you contact the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) if you currently receive benefits, their contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Where there is a reduction made to your benefits, you will still be responsible for paying your bills from the money that you do receive. Your rent will still have to be paid in full; you must act now to prepare for the changes.
Welfare Benefit and Money advice
We have Welfare, Benefits and Money Advisors, who can assist and advise you based on your personal financial circumstances. Please contact us on 0800 08 56575 to book an appointment.
We are also running workshops to help residents adjust to these changes, you can find more information in our Tenant Training Programme or by speaking to our Tenant Participation Team on 020 8583 4602.
