Disregards 2010/11
This content applies to England
How much income, earnings and capital are disregarded when calculating housing benefit in 2010/11.
The calculation of housing benefit takes into account the claimant's financial resources. Certain earnings, income and capital are disregarded. See the Calculation of housing benefit section for more information about the rules for calculating housing benefit.
Main earnings disregards
| Claimant is | £ per week |
| Single person | 5.00 |
| Couple | 10.00 |
| Lone parent | 25.00 |
| In special occupations/circumstances | 20.00 |
| On ESA(C), IB or SDA and does permitted work (higher disregard) | 93.00 (95.00 from 1 Oct 2010) |
| On ESA(C), IB or SDA and does permitted work (lower disregard) | 20.00 |
| Other (mainly disabled/long-term sick/carer) | 20.00 |
| Disregards on top of above | £ per week |
| Child care charges (1 child) | up to 175.00 |
| Child care charges (2 or more children) | up to 300.00 |
| Additional earnings (16 to 30 hours work) | 17.10 |
Main income disregards (excluding earnings)
| Type of income | £ per week |
| Actual income from capital | In full |
| Social fund payments | In full |
| Council tax benefit | In full |
| Disability living allowance | In full |
| Attendance allowance | In full |
| Mobility supplements | In full |
| Guardian’s allowance | In full |
| Fostering allowance | In full |
| Education maintenance allowances/bursaries/grants | In full |
| New deal | In full |
| Employment Zone grants and premiums | In full |
| Charitable payments | In full |
| Child maintenance payments | In full |
| War disablement pension | 10.00 (some local authorities disregard in full) |
| War widow’s pension | 10.00 (some local authorities disregard in full) |
| Student loan | 10.00 |
| Student's covenanted income | 5.00 |
| Income from a sub-tenant | 20.00 |
| Income from a boarder | 20.00 + 50 per cent of any excess over 20.00 |
| Child benefit | In full |
Main capital disregards
| Type of capital | £ per week |
| The claimant’s home | In full |
| The claimant’s personal possessions | In full |
| Money for home purchase for a limited period | In full |
| Certain compensation payments | In full |
| Money held in occupational and personal pensions | In full |
| Business assets of a self-employed claimant | In full |
| Life insurance policies' annuities or surrender value | In full |
| Social fund payments and loans | In full |
