The Covid-19 Universal Credit increase

[SpunBodgeSquarepants]

Good morning,

I can't remember the name of the lovely lady who is usually so helpful with universal credit threads! (Ruth....?)

I'm over the benefit cap by £200+. I've had a message this morning telling me my payment in October will be the last that contains the extra £86 that the government introduced during the pandemic. Does this affect me? Or will my payment stay the same as I'm over the cap anyway? We are already using foodbanks so £86 a month less for us is just.... I don't even want to think about it right now.

Thank you ☺

It shouldn’t affect how much you get. The standard allowance (amount for you as a couple to live on is going down) is £86.67 a month so just means that you will be a bit less above the benefit cap.

(Was an issue when it was introduced as families with the benefit cap did not get an increase during Covid unless only £86 over the cap.)

Thank you @duetorain, I was sure that would be the case but wanted someone to confirm it!