DWP plans to freeze benefit cap limits for 2027-28
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 07:56 · Archive
The Department for Work and Pensions plans to freeze the benefit cap for the 2027-28 tax year, keeping maximum claims unchanged.
The Department for Work and Pensions updated its website on Wednesday, 11 November to announce proposed benefits rates for the 2027-28 tax year. The benefit cap, which applies to most people over 16 and below State Pension age, limits the total amount claimants can receive.
The proposed freeze will affect millions of benefit recipients. Annual maximums for couples with or without children, or single claimants with a qualifying-age child, will remain at £22,020, or £25,323 in Greater London. Single households without children will continue to have a maximum of £14,753 annually, rising to £16,967 in Greater London.
Monthly equivalents will be frozen at £1,835 for couples and £1,229.42 for single households, with higher amounts in Greater London. Weekly maximums for couples will remain at £423.46, and £283.71 for single households, again with higher limits applying in Greater London.
The freeze means claimants will not be able to claim more than these amounts between April 2027 and April 2028. This represents no uprating of the cap despite rising living costs.
The decision comes at a time when the Office for National Statistics recorded inflation at 3.6% in September, and many economists are forecasting further increases in the year ahead. The frozen benefit cap will therefore represent a reduction in real terms for those affected.
How it is being reported
- Millions could be affected by DWP benefits decision – full limits revealedThe DWP plans to freeze the Benefit Cap for 2027/28. See the proposed weekly, monthly and annual limits for couples and single households.Westmorland Gazette · 15 Nov, 07:44
- Millions could be affected by DWP benefits decision – full limits revealedThe DWP plans to freeze the Benefit Cap for 2027/28. See the proposed weekly, monthly and annual limits for couples and single households.News & Star · 15 Nov, 07:44
- Millions could be affected by DWP benefits decision – full limits revealedThe DWP plans to freeze the Benefit Cap for 2027/28. See the proposed weekly, monthly and annual limits for couples and single households.NW Evening Mail · 15 Nov, 07:44
In this story: Department for Work and Pensions · Office for National Statistics · Greater London
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