The financial benefit cap came into place across the country at the end of September the Government has announced.
The benefit cap limits the average working household income to £500 a week for couples and lone parents and £350 a week for single adults.
The cap is in place for existing appropriate claimants and from now on all new claims will be subject to the cap.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith said: "We have now successfully delivered a cap on benefits so that out-of-work households know they can no longer claim more than the average family earns.
"We want to help people find a job and move away from benefits, and so those facing a cap are getting extra support at the Jobcentre while those eligible for working tax credits are exempt from the cap altogether."
It is expected that 40,000 households will have their benefits capped.
