{"id":142230,"date":"2023-12-09T12:07:07","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T12:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magdelaine.net\/?p=142230"},"modified":"2023-12-09T12:07:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T12:07:07","slug":"huge-blow-for-tens-of-thousands-on-benefits-who-risk-having-their-payments-cut-from-april-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magdelaine.net\/lifestyle\/huge-blow-for-tens-of-thousands-on-benefits-who-risk-having-their-payments-cut-from-april-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Huge blow for tens of thousands on benefits who risk having their payments cut from April | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

TENS of thousands of families risk having their Universal Credit and benefit payments cut in April, experts have warned, despite rates increasing with inflation.<\/p>\n

The government revealed in last months Autumn Statement that millions will get a payment boost of up to \u00a3470 a year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Each year rates are increased to keep up with the cost of living. This is usually in line with the rate of inflation. <\/p>\n

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed the annual benefit uprating will be 6.7% affecting around 5million people.<\/p>\n

For instance, the monthly standard allowance for over 25s on Universal Credit will rise by \u00a319.57 to \u00a3311.68. <\/p>\n

On average people will be \u00a3470 a year better off, but the exact amount will depend on each individual's entitlement, like if they have children or housing costs.<\/p>\n

Read more in money<\/h2>\n

<\/picture>BILL CHECK <\/span><\/p>\n

Exact date to act to ensure you don't get overcharged on energy bills<\/h3>\n

<\/picture>CASH BACK <\/span><\/p>\n

Millions could get \u00a31,823 compensation from mobile firms over 'rip-off' charges<\/h3>\n

But key documents published by the government since the announcement reveal that a key amount will not increase, leaving some families worse off.<\/p>\n

The benefit cap, first introduced in 2013, is a limit on the total amount households can get.<\/p>\n

It was frozen from 2016 until this year, when the government increased it to \u00a322,020 a year for families, or \u00a325,323 in London, and \u00a314,753 for single adults, or \u00a316,967 in the capital.<\/p>\n

But there will be no similar rise next year, leaving 80,0000 on Universal Credit worse off.<\/p>\n

Most read in Money<\/h2>\n

<\/picture>CASH HELP <\/span><\/p>\n

How to spot cost of living Xmas bonus as benefit claimants get cash boost<\/h3>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/picture>LOTTO LUCK <\/span><\/p>\n

EuroMillions player will wake up \u00a3201MILLION richer as mega jackpot scooped<\/h3>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/picture>TOP OF THE POPS <\/span><\/p>\n

Inside UK’s most viewed homes on Zoopla – \u00a325k terrace and \u00a336.5m mansion<\/h3>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/picture>BILL CHECK <\/span><\/p>\n

Exact date to act to ensure you don’t get overcharged on energy bills<\/h3>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Halide Kalfaoglu, benefits expert at Turn2us, said: "The majority of those affected are families with children and single parents who will struggle to afford life\u2019s necessities like energy bills and basic food shopping.<\/p>\n

"They cannot keep absorbing real-term income cuts because that\u2019s what this amounts to; less money when we know the cost of everything is increasing."<\/p>\n

Some 85,000 households already have their benefit payments docked because of the cap and lose around \u00a353 a week on average.<\/p>\n

More people are set to hit the cap in April when benefit payments rise in April, 2024.<\/p>\n

Alison Garnham, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), said: "Families hit by the policy are some of the poorest in the country and they\u2019re going to fall even further behind as prices continue rising but their benefits are capped at an arbitrary limit.<\/p>\n

"Sadly the number of affected families will grow as more people are newly capped when benefits are uprated as usual next April.<\/p>\n

"The losses for capped families are huge – averaging \u00a353 a week but sometimes much more. <\/p>\n

"There isn't a rhyme or reason for the benefit cap. It's illogical, denies families what they need and is actively pushing children into poverty."<\/p>\n

Although many benefits rise with inflation each year, there's no requirement in law that the benefit cap is one of them.<\/p>\n

But the government must review the cap at least once every five years.<\/p>\n

A DWP spokesperson said: "The benefit cap remains the same. There is no statutory obligation for the Secretary of State to review the benefit cap levels again this year following the significant increase following the review in November 2022."<\/p>\n

What is the benefits cap?<\/h2>\n

First brought in by the government in 2013, the benefit cap sets a limit on the total amount of benefits households can get.<\/p>\n

Universal Credit\u00a0counts towards the cap, along with other benefits like child benefit, housing benefit and jobseekers allowance.<\/p>\n

And if your income is above this limit, your housing benefit or Universal Credit might be reduced.<\/p>\n

The benefit cap outside Greater\u00a0London\u00a0is:<\/p>\n