Who Gets What

Compare local authorities · East of England and East of England

Colchester and Chelmsford

199,730 and 188,328 residents (mid-2024).

Colchester is higher than Chelmsford on 17 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 17 of 22 per resident and 18 of 22 in total.

On 1 of 22 measures, which area is higher depends on whether you count per person or in total. Choose a way of counting below to see each one.

Swap the two areas
Colchester and Chelmsford on a map of the local authorities of Great Britain
How to count
Prices

Money in 2026-27 prices, adjusted for inflation so that years can be compared2026-27 prices, using CPI inflation, adjusted for inflation so that years can be comparedcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.

Per person in the age group

Colchester is higher on 17 of 22 measures, and Chelmsford on 5. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Colchester Chelmsford

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Colchester £4,006, Chelmsford £3,860Chelmsford: £3,860Colchester: £4,006Chelmsford: £3,877Colchester: £4,023Chelmsford: £3,662Colchester: £3,800

    £4,006£4,023£3,800Colchester is higher£3,860£3,877£3,662

  2. Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Colchester £12,836, Chelmsford £12,922Chelmsford: £12,922Colchester: £12,836Chelmsford: £12,977Colchester: £12,891Chelmsford: £12,257Colchester: £12,175

    £12,836£12,891£12,175Chelmsford is higher£12,922£12,977£12,257

  3. Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Colchester £1,742, Chelmsford £1,439Chelmsford: £1,439Colchester: £1,742Chelmsford: £1,445Colchester: £1,750Chelmsford: £1,365Colchester: £1,653

    £1,742£1,750£1,653Colchester is higher£1,439£1,445£1,365

  4. State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Colchester £11,610, Chelmsford £12,018Chelmsford: £12,018Colchester: £11,610Chelmsford: £12,069Colchester: £11,659Chelmsford: £11,399Colchester: £11,013

    £11,610£11,659£11,013Chelmsford is higher£12,018£12,069£11,399

  5. Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Colchester £390, Chelmsford £298Chelmsford: £298Colchester: £390Chelmsford: £300Colchester: £391Chelmsford: £283Colchester: £370

    £390£391£370Colchester is higher£298£300£283

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Colchester £815, Chelmsford £589Chelmsford: £589Colchester: £815Chelmsford: £591Colchester: £818Chelmsford: £559Colchester: £773

    £815£818£773Colchester is higher£589£591£559

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Colchester £22, Chelmsford £17Chelmsford: £17Colchester: £22Chelmsford: £17Colchester: £22Chelmsford: £16Colchester: £20

    £22£22£20Colchester is higher£17£17£16

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Colchester £364, Chelmsford £288Chelmsford: £288Colchester: £364Chelmsford: £289Colchester: £366Chelmsford: £273Colchester: £345

    £364£366£345Colchester is higher£288£289£273

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Colchester £153, Chelmsford £113Chelmsford: £113Colchester: £153Chelmsford: £114Colchester: £153Chelmsford: £108Colchester: £145

    £153£153£145Colchester is higher£113£114£108

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per person aged 16 to 64: Colchester £97, Chelmsford £79Chelmsford: £79Colchester: £97Chelmsford: £80Colchester: £98Chelmsford: £75Colchester: £92

    £97£98£92Colchester is higher£79£80£75

  11. Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Colchester £1,388, Chelmsford £1,154Chelmsford: £1,154Colchester: £1,388Chelmsford: £1,159Colchester: £1,394Chelmsford: £1,095Colchester: £1,317

    £1,388£1,394£1,317Colchester is higher£1,154£1,159£1,095

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Colchester £190, Chelmsford £197Chelmsford: £197Colchester: £190Chelmsford: £198Colchester: £191Chelmsford: £187Colchester: £180

    £190£191£180Chelmsford is higherDepends on how you count£197£198£187

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Colchester £243, Chelmsford £193Chelmsford: £193Colchester: £243Chelmsford: £193Colchester: £244Chelmsford: £183Colchester: £231

    £243£244£231Colchester is higher£193£193£183

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Colchester £7.93, Chelmsford £7.88Chelmsford: £7.88Colchester: £7.93Chelmsford: £7.91Colchester: £7.96Chelmsford: £7.47Colchester: £7.52

    £7.93£7.96£7.52Colchester is higher£7.88£7.91£7.47

  15. Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Colchester £5.75, Chelmsford £4.62Chelmsford: £4.62Colchester: £5.75Chelmsford: £4.64Colchester: £5.77Chelmsford: £4.38Colchester: £5.45

    £5.75£5.77£5.45Colchester is higher£4.62£4.64£4.38

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Colchester £3.77, Chelmsford £6.63Chelmsford: £6.63Colchester: £3.77Chelmsford: £6.66Colchester: £3.79Chelmsford: £6.29Colchester: £3.58

    £3.77£3.79£3.58Chelmsford is higher£6.63£6.66£6.29

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Colchester 1,005.5, Chelmsford 1,019.2Chelmsford: 1,019.2Colchester: 1,005.5

    1,005.5Chelmsford is higher1,019.2

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Colchester 87.4, Chelmsford 68.6Chelmsford: 68.6Colchester: 87.4

    87.4Colchester is higher68.6

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Colchester 165.9, Chelmsford 127.5Chelmsford: 127.5Colchester: 165.9

    165.9Colchester is higher127.5

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Colchester 57.0, Chelmsford 45.3Chelmsford: 45.3Colchester: 57.0

    57.0Colchester is higher45.3

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Colchester 158.6, Chelmsford 127.2Chelmsford: 127.2Colchester: 158.6

    158.6Colchester is higher127.2

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Colchester 21.7, Chelmsford 17.8Chelmsford: 17.8Colchester: 21.7

    21.7Colchester is higher17.8

Show the numbers
Colchester and Chelmsford, per person in the age group
MeasureColchesterChelmsfordHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,006£4,023£3,800£3,860£3,877£3,662Colchester
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£12,836£12,891£12,175£12,922£12,977£12,257Chelmsford
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,742£1,750£1,653£1,439£1,445£1,365Colchester
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,610£11,659£11,013£12,018£12,069£11,399Chelmsford
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£390£391£370£298£300£283Colchester
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£815£818£773£589£591£559Colchester
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£22£22£20£17£17£16Colchester
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£364£366£345£288£289£273Colchester
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£153£153£145£113£114£108Colchester
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£97£98£92£79£80£75Colchester
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,388£1,394£1,317£1,154£1,159£1,095Colchester
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£190£191£180£197£198£187Chelmsford
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£243£244£231£193£193£183Colchester
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£7.93£7.96£7.52£7.88£7.91£7.47Colchester
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£5.75£5.77£5.45£4.62£4.64£4.38Colchester
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3.77£3.79£3.58£6.63£6.66£6.29Chelmsford
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 20261,005.51,019.2Chelmsford
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202687.468.6Colchester
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026165.9127.5Colchester
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202657.045.3Colchester
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026158.6127.2Colchester
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202621.717.8Colchester

Per resident

Colchester is higher on 17 of 22 measures, and Chelmsford on 5. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Colchester Chelmsford

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Colchester £4,006, Chelmsford £3,860Chelmsford: £3,860Colchester: £4,006Chelmsford: £3,877Colchester: £4,023Chelmsford: £3,662Colchester: £3,800

    £4,006£4,023£3,800Colchester is higher£3,860£3,877£3,662

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Colchester £2,198, Chelmsford £2,365Chelmsford: £2,365Colchester: £2,198Chelmsford: £2,375Colchester: £2,208Chelmsford: £2,243Colchester: £2,085

    £2,198£2,208£2,085Chelmsford is higher£2,365£2,375£2,243

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Colchester £1,097, Chelmsford £890Chelmsford: £890Colchester: £1,097Chelmsford: £894Colchester: £1,102Chelmsford: £845Colchester: £1,041

    £1,097£1,102£1,041Colchester is higher£890£894£845

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Colchester £1,988, Chelmsford £2,199Chelmsford: £2,199Colchester: £1,988Chelmsford: £2,209Colchester: £1,997Chelmsford: £2,086Colchester: £1,886

    £1,988£1,997£1,886Chelmsford is higher£2,199£2,209£2,086

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Colchester £67, Chelmsford £55Chelmsford: £55Colchester: £67Chelmsford: £55Colchester: £67Chelmsford: £52Colchester: £63

    £67£67£63Colchester is higher£55£55£52

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Colchester £139, Chelmsford £108Chelmsford: £108Colchester: £139Chelmsford: £108Colchester: £140Chelmsford: £102Colchester: £132

    £139£140£132Colchester is higher£108£108£102

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Colchester £3.70, Chelmsford £3.17Chelmsford: £3.17Colchester: £3.70Chelmsford: £3.19Colchester: £3.72Chelmsford: £3.01Colchester: £3.51

    £3.70£3.72£3.51Colchester is higher£3.17£3.19£3.01

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Colchester £364, Chelmsford £288Chelmsford: £288Colchester: £364Chelmsford: £289Colchester: £366Chelmsford: £273Colchester: £345

    £364£366£345Colchester is higher£288£289£273

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Colchester £153, Chelmsford £113Chelmsford: £113Colchester: £153Chelmsford: £114Colchester: £153Chelmsford: £108Colchester: £145

    £153£153£145Colchester is higher£113£114£108

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Colchester £61, Chelmsford £49Chelmsford: £49Colchester: £61Chelmsford: £49Colchester: £61Chelmsford: £47Colchester: £58

    £61£61£58Colchester is higher£49£49£47

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Colchester £874, Chelmsford £714Chelmsford: £714Colchester: £874Chelmsford: £717Colchester: £878Chelmsford: £678Colchester: £829

    £874£878£829Colchester is higher£714£717£678

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Colchester £190, Chelmsford £197Chelmsford: £197Colchester: £190Chelmsford: £198Colchester: £191Chelmsford: £187Colchester: £180

    £190£191£180Chelmsford is higherDepends on how you count£197£198£187

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Colchester £153, Chelmsford £119Chelmsford: £119Colchester: £153Chelmsford: £120Colchester: £154Chelmsford: £113Colchester: £145

    £153£154£145Colchester is higher£119£120£113

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Colchester £4.99, Chelmsford £4.87Chelmsford: £4.87Colchester: £4.99Chelmsford: £4.89Colchester: £5.01Chelmsford: £4.62Colchester: £4.73

    £4.99£5.01£4.73Colchester is higher£4.87£4.89£4.62

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Colchester £3.62, Chelmsford £2.86Chelmsford: £2.86Colchester: £3.62Chelmsford: £2.87Colchester: £3.63Chelmsford: £2.71Colchester: £3.43

    £3.62£3.63£3.43Colchester is higher£2.86£2.87£2.71

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Colchester £3.77, Chelmsford £6.63Chelmsford: £6.63Colchester: £3.77Chelmsford: £6.66Colchester: £3.79Chelmsford: £6.29Colchester: £3.58

    £3.77£3.79£3.58Chelmsford is higher£6.63£6.66£6.29

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Colchester 172.2, Chelmsford 186.5Chelmsford: 186.5Colchester: 172.2

    172.2Chelmsford is higher186.5

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Colchester 15.0, Chelmsford 12.6Chelmsford: 12.6Colchester: 15.0

    15.0Colchester is higher12.6

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Colchester 28.4, Chelmsford 23.3Chelmsford: 23.3Colchester: 28.4

    28.4Colchester is higher23.3

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Colchester 57.0, Chelmsford 45.3Chelmsford: 45.3Colchester: 57.0

    57.0Colchester is higher45.3

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Colchester 99.9, Chelmsford 78.7Chelmsford: 78.7Colchester: 99.9

    99.9Colchester is higher78.7

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Colchester 13.7, Chelmsford 11.0Chelmsford: 11.0Colchester: 13.7

    13.7Colchester is higher11.0

Show the numbers
Colchester and Chelmsford, per resident
MeasureColchesterChelmsfordHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,006£4,023£3,800£3,860£3,877£3,662Colchester
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,198£2,208£2,085£2,365£2,375£2,243Chelmsford
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,097£1,102£1,041£890£894£845Colchester
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£1,988£1,997£1,886£2,199£2,209£2,086Chelmsford
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£67£67£63£55£55£52Colchester
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£139£140£132£108£108£102Colchester
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£3.70£3.72£3.51£3.17£3.19£3.01Colchester
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£364£366£345£288£289£273Colchester
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£153£153£145£113£114£108Colchester
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£61£61£58£49£49£47Colchester
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£874£878£829£714£717£678Colchester
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£190£191£180£197£198£187Chelmsford
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£153£154£145£119£120£113Colchester
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£4.99£5.01£4.73£4.87£4.89£4.62Colchester
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£3.62£3.63£3.43£2.86£2.87£2.71Colchester
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3.77£3.79£3.58£6.63£6.66£6.29Chelmsford
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026172.2186.5Chelmsford
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202615.012.6Colchester
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202628.423.3Colchester
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202657.045.3Colchester
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 202699.978.7Colchester
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202613.711.0Colchester

Total

Colchester is higher on 18 of 22 measures, and Chelmsford on 4. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Colchester Chelmsford

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Colchester £800.1m, Chelmsford £727.0mChelmsford: £727.0mColchester: £800.1mChelmsford: £730.1mColchester: £803.5mChelmsford: £689.6mColchester: £758.9m

    £800.1m£803.5m£758.9mColchester is higher£727.0m£730.1m£689.6m

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Colchester £439.1m, Chelmsford £445.4mChelmsford: £445.4mColchester: £439.1mChelmsford: £447.3mColchester: £440.9mChelmsford: £422.5mColchester: £416.5m

    £439.1m£440.9m£416.5mChelmsford is higher£445.4m£447.3m£422.5m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Colchester £219.1m, Chelmsford £167.7mChelmsford: £167.7mColchester: £219.1mChelmsford: £168.4mColchester: £220.1mChelmsford: £159.1mColchester: £207.9m

    £219.1m£220.1m£207.9mColchester is higher£167.7m£168.4m£159.1m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Colchester £397.1m, Chelmsford £414.2mChelmsford: £414.2mColchester: £397.1mChelmsford: £416.0mColchester: £398.8mChelmsford: £392.9mColchester: £376.7m

    £397.1m£398.8m£376.7mChelmsford is higher£414.2m£416.0m£392.9m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Colchester £13.3m, Chelmsford £10.3mChelmsford: £10.3mColchester: £13.3mChelmsford: £10.3mColchester: £13.4mChelmsford: £9.8mColchester: £12.6m

    £13.3m£13.4m£12.6mColchester is higher£10.3m£10.3m£9.8m

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Colchester £27.9m, Chelmsford £20.3mChelmsford: £20.3mColchester: £27.9mChelmsford: £20.4mColchester: £28.0mChelmsford: £19.3mColchester: £26.4m

    £27.9m£28.0m£26.4mColchester is higher£20.3m£20.4m£19.3m

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Colchester £0.74m, Chelmsford £0.60mChelmsford: £0.60mColchester: £0.74mChelmsford: £0.60mColchester: £0.74mChelmsford: £0.57mColchester: £0.70m

    £0.74m£0.74m£0.70mColchester is higher£0.60m£0.60m£0.57m

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Colchester £72.7m, Chelmsford £54.2mChelmsford: £54.2mColchester: £72.7mChelmsford: £54.5mColchester: £73.0mChelmsford: £51.4mColchester: £69.0m

    £72.7m£73.0m£69.0mColchester is higher£54.2m£54.5m£51.4m

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Colchester £30.5m, Chelmsford £21.4mChelmsford: £21.4mColchester: £30.5mChelmsford: £21.5mColchester: £30.6mChelmsford: £20.3mColchester: £28.9m

    £30.5m£30.6m£28.9mColchester is higher£21.4m£21.5m£20.3m

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Colchester £12.2m, Chelmsford £9.3mChelmsford: £9.3mColchester: £12.2mChelmsford: £9.3mColchester: £12.3mChelmsford: £8.8mColchester: £11.6m

    £12.2m£12.3m£11.6mColchester is higher£9.3m£9.3m£8.8m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Colchester £174.6m, Chelmsford £134.5mChelmsford: £134.5mColchester: £174.6mChelmsford: £135.1mColchester: £175.4mChelmsford: £127.6mColchester: £165.6m

    £174.6m£175.4m£165.6mColchester is higher£134.5m£135.1m£127.6m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Colchester £37.9m, Chelmsford £37.1mChelmsford: £37.1mColchester: £37.9mChelmsford: £37.3mColchester: £38.1mChelmsford: £35.2mColchester: £36.0m

    £37.9m£38.1m£36.0mColchester is higherDepends on how you count£37.1m£37.3m£35.2m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Colchester £30.6m, Chelmsford £22.4mChelmsford: £22.4mColchester: £30.6mChelmsford: £22.5mColchester: £30.7mChelmsford: £21.3mColchester: £29.0m

    £30.6m£30.7m£29.0mColchester is higher£22.4m£22.5m£21.3m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Colchester £1.00m, Chelmsford £0.92mChelmsford: £0.92mColchester: £1.00mChelmsford: £0.92mColchester: £1.0mChelmsford: £0.87mColchester: £0.95m

    £1.00m£1.0m£0.95mColchester is higher£0.92m£0.92m£0.87m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Colchester £0.72m, Chelmsford £0.54mChelmsford: £0.54mColchester: £0.72mChelmsford: £0.54mColchester: £0.73mChelmsford: £0.51mColchester: £0.69m

    £0.72m£0.73m£0.69mColchester is higher£0.54m£0.54m£0.51m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Colchester £0.75m, Chelmsford £1.2mChelmsford: £1.2mColchester: £0.75mChelmsford: £1.3mColchester: £0.76mChelmsford: £1.2mColchester: £0.72m

    £0.75m£0.76m£0.72mChelmsford is higher£1.2m£1.3m£1.2m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Colchester 34,395, Chelmsford 35,127Chelmsford: 35,127Colchester: 34,395

    34,395Chelmsford is higher35,127

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Colchester 2,989, Chelmsford 2,363Chelmsford: 2,363Colchester: 2,989

    2,989Colchester is higher2,363

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Colchester 5,675, Chelmsford 4,394Chelmsford: 4,394Colchester: 5,675

    5,675Colchester is higher4,394

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Colchester 11,389, Chelmsford 8,538Chelmsford: 8,538Colchester: 11,389

    11,389Colchester is higher8,538

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Colchester 19,955, Chelmsford 14,827Chelmsford: 14,827Colchester: 19,955

    19,955Colchester is higher14,827

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Colchester 2,735, Chelmsford 2,074Chelmsford: 2,074Colchester: 2,735

    2,735Colchester is higher2,074

Show the numbers
Colchester and Chelmsford, total
MeasureColchesterChelmsfordHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£800.1m£803.5m£758.9m£727.0m£730.1m£689.6mColchester
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£439.1m£440.9m£416.5m£445.4m£447.3m£422.5mChelmsford
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£219.1m£220.1m£207.9m£167.7m£168.4m£159.1mColchester
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£397.1m£398.8m£376.7m£414.2m£416.0m£392.9mChelmsford
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£13.3m£13.4m£12.6m£10.3m£10.3m£9.8mColchester
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£27.9m£28.0m£26.4m£20.3m£20.4m£19.3mColchester
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.74m£0.74m£0.70m£0.60m£0.60m£0.57mColchester
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£72.7m£73.0m£69.0m£54.2m£54.5m£51.4mColchester
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£30.5m£30.6m£28.9m£21.4m£21.5m£20.3mColchester
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£12.2m£12.3m£11.6m£9.3m£9.3m£8.8mColchester
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£174.6m£175.4m£165.6m£134.5m£135.1m£127.6mColchester
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£37.9m£38.1m£36.0m£37.1m£37.3m£35.2mColchester
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£30.6m£30.7m£29.0m£22.4m£22.5m£21.3mColchester
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£1.00m£1.0m£0.95m£0.92m£0.92m£0.87mColchester
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.72m£0.73m£0.69m£0.54m£0.54m£0.51mColchester
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.75m£0.76m£0.72m£1.2m£1.3m£1.2mChelmsford
State Pensiontotal, March 202634,39535,127Chelmsford
Pension Credittotal, March 20262,9892,363Colchester
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20265,6754,394Colchester
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 202611,3898,538Colchester
Universal Credittotal, May 202619,95514,827Colchester
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20262,7352,074Colchester

Sources

Each area's page lists the limits of its figures and where each one comes from.

  1. 1Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by local authority, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  2. 2Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by parliamentary constituency, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  3. 3Department for Work and Pensions. Stat-Xplore benefit caseloads and awards. Published 6 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  4. 4Social Security Scotland. Adult Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  5. 5Social Security Scotland. Child Disability Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 17 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  6. 6Social Security Scotland. Pension Age Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  7. 7Social Security Scotland. Carer Support Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 10 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  8. 8Social Security Scotland. Winter heating benefits statistics for winter 2025/26. Published 18 May 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  9. 9Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by local authority (Nomis NM_2002_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  10. 10Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by 2024 parliamentary constituency (Nomis NM_2014_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  11. 11National Records of Scotland. Population estimates for other geographies, mid-2011 to mid-2024. Published 31 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.