The benefit cap, sanctions and reporting changes in NI

See Welfare Supplementary Payments for the top-ups that cover the cap.

The benefit cap

For the Benefit Cap to apply, someone in the household must receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. It is £423.46 a week for a couple, with or without children, or a lone parent with children living with them, and £283.71 a week for a single person with no children living with them.

If you are affected by the Benefit Cap, contact the Welfare Supplementary Payments Team to check if you are eligible for a payment to cover the loss.

Sanctions

When you claim benefits, you need to follow certain rules. If you don’t, you can lose some or all of your benefits. This is called a sanction. Go to meetings with your work coach on time, and if you cannot go, contact them as soon as possible.

Reporting changes

Report changes to your circumstances straight away, so you are not overpaid and asked to pay it back. On Universal Credit, you must report changes by signing in to your Universal Credit online account.

Benefit fraud

If you think someone is committing benefit fraud, you can report it online, by phone or in writing to the Department for Communities' Benefit Security Division.

When someone dies

To report the death of someone receiving Social Security benefits, State Pension or Pension Credit, you can contact the Bereavement Service. It can also check if you are eligible for Bereavement Support Payment, a Funeral Expenses Payment or a Child Funeral Fund payment.

A free benefits check

The Department for Communities' Make the Call line gives a free, confidential check of the benefits, supports and services you may be entitled to. It is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Autistic people and their families can get a check too.

Common questions

Keep going