Benefit Cap
Exemptions
People who were employed for 52 weeks or more before they claimed benefit
People who have been working for at least 52 weeks before they make a claim for benefit will be exempt from the cap for a “grace period” of up to 39 weeks. This grace period will only apply if the claimant, their partner or their ex-partner was employed or self-employed for 50 out of the 52 weeks immediately before their last day at work and during that time was not entitled to income support, jobseekers allowance or employment and support allowance for any more than a total of two weeks.
People who live in supported exempt accommodation (SEA)
Housing Benefit (HB) paid to households in SEA is being disregarded from the benefit cap, however this does not mean that you may be exempt from the cap, but that the HB amount is not used in the capping calculation.