Social Security Benefits: Families
Work and Pensions

Chris Grayling (Minister of State (Employment), Work and Pensions; Epsom and Ewell, Conservative)

The following table sets out estimates of the number of households affected by the benefit cap broken down by number of people in the family unit/household.

There may be some households who may be affected by the cap who have more than 10 people.

The figures presented in the table are consistent with the recent Impact Assessment published on 23 January 2012. These estimates have not been adjusted for the additional easements announced in the House of Commons on 1 February, which include: the exemption of households who were in receipt of the support component of employment and support allowance; and a nine-month grace period for claimants who were in work for 52 weeks or more before the start of their claim.

It is assumed that the situation of these households will go unchanged, and they will not take any steps to either work enough hours to qualify for working tax credit, renegotiate their rent in situ, or find alternative accommodation. In all cases the Department is working to support households through this transition, using existing provision through Jobcentre Plus and the Work Programme to move as many into work as possible.