Applicable amount
The applicable amount is the amount of money the government believes you, your partner (if you have one) and your family (if applicable) need to meet your necessary weekly costs.
Everyone has a maximum amount of weekly income they can receive, before their income starts to affect their benefit claim. This amount varies depending on several elements such as age, family size, and special needs and is set by the Department of Work and Pensions.
This amount is called the applicable amount and is compared against your income and capital to work out how much Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction you are entitled to.