Benefit Rates, Applicable Amounts and Disregards etc

Overpayment Recovery Rates and Direct Payment Deductions        
  April 2005 April 2006 April 07 April 08 April 09
Maximum Deductions from HB* £ £ £ £ £
- ordinary overpayments - non-fraud 8.55 8.70 9.00 9.15 9.75
- where claimant convicted of fraud 11.20 11.60 12.00 12.00 12.80
* the above maximum amounts can be increased by up to 50% of any earnings/other income disregards (ie 50% of the 5/10/15/20/25 earnings/charitable payments disregards applicable)       
Deductions from JSA(IB), IS, ESA(IR), Pension Credit       
- towards arrears or housing/fuel/water rates/council tax/fines default 2.85   3.05 3.25
- for child maintenance (standard) 5.70   6.10 6.50
- for child maintenance (lower) 2.85   3.05 3.25
- for arrears of community charge (court order against claimant) 2.85   3.05 3.25
- for arrears of community charge (court order against couple) 4.50   4.75 5.05
- fine or compensation order (standard rate) 5.00 5.00
- fine or compensation order (lower rate) 3.05 3.25
Third party deductions personal expenses allowance 18.80   21.15 21.90 
Deductions from JSA(CB), ESA(CB)       
- towards arrears of community charge/council tax/fines/overpayment recovery        
aged 16-17 11.28   15.98 16.98
aged 18-24 14.83   15.98 16.98
aged 25 + 18.73   20.16 21.43
Maximum deduction for arrears of Child Support Maintenace         
aged 16-17 11.28   15.98 16.98
aged 18-24 14.83   15.98 16.98
aged 25 + 18.73   20.16 20.16
Reduction in benefit for strikers 30.50