Benefit cap – exemptions and protection
Every five to six years, the calendar makes it so we have 53 Mondays instead of the usual 52. This coming financial year, 2024 / 2025, is one of those special years.
If you get Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions will only pay for 52 weeks of your rent in a year. In a 53 week financial year, this means there will be one week of rent that will not be covered by Universal Credit.
Find out what we're doing to help and what to do if you're affected and already struggling with the cost of living.
If you or your partner or any children who live with you are entitled to the following benefits you will not be subject to the benefit cap.
- working tax credit
- attendance allowance
- support component of employment support allowance
- war widow / widower’s pension
- disability living allowance
- personal independence payment
- industrial injuries benefit
- armed forces compensation scheme payment
- war pension scheme payments.
Protection
Some claimants who have been in employment for 52 weeks or more prior to when they claim benefit will be exempt from the benefit cap for a limited 'grace' period of up to 39 weeks.