The benefit cap places a restriction on the total amount of benefits you can claim, based on your circumstances.

If you return to work and get universal credit, you are exempt from the cap if you have net monthly earnings (or combined earnings, if you are one of a couple) of at least £793. If you do not have monthly earnings (or combined earnings) of at least £793, the benefit cap may not be applied during a 9-month ‘grace period’. See Chapter 15(12) for details.

See Box G.6 in Chapter 27 for how the cap applies to pre-universal credit means-tested benefits.

If you have reached pension age (see Chapter 46(2) ), the cap will not apply.