Who Gets What

Compare local authorities · London and East of England

Merton and Watford

220,020 and 106,799 residents (mid-2024).

Merton is higher than Watford on 7 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 8 of 22 per resident and 22 of 22 in total.

On 15 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
Merton and Watford 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

Merton is higher on 7 of 22 measures, and Watford on 15. 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

Merton Watford

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Merton £3,406, Watford £3,458Watford: £3,458Merton: £3,406Watford: £3,473Merton: £3,420Watford: £3,280Merton: £3,231

    £3,406£3,420£3,231Watford is higherDepends on how you count£3,458£3,473£3,280

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

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Merton £12,347, Watford £12,493Watford: £12,493Merton: £12,347Watford: £12,546Merton: £12,399Watford: £11,850Merton: £11,711

    £12,347£12,399£11,711Watford is higherDepends on how you count£12,493£12,546£11,850

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

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £1,819, Watford £1,948Watford: £1,948Merton: £1,819Watford: £1,956Merton: £1,827Watford: £1,847Merton: £1,725

    £1,819£1,827£1,725Watford is higherDepends on how you count£1,948£1,956£1,847

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

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Merton £10,821, Watford £11,153Watford: £11,153Merton: £10,821Watford: £11,201Merton: £10,867Watford: £10,579Merton: £10,264

    £10,821£10,867£10,264Watford is higherDepends on how you count£11,153£11,201£10,579

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

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Merton £880, Watford £593Watford: £593Merton: £880Watford: £595Merton: £884Watford: £562Merton: £835

    £880£884£835Merton is higher£593£595£562

  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: Merton £612, Watford £720Watford: £720Merton: £612Watford: £723Merton: £614Watford: £683Merton: £580

    £612£614£580Watford is higherDepends on how you count£720£723£683

  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: Merton £34, Watford £27Watford: £27Merton: £34Watford: £27Merton: £34Watford: £26Merton: £32

    £34£34£32Merton is higher£27£27£26

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £260, Watford £299Watford: £299Merton: £260Watford: £301Merton: £261Watford: £284Merton: £247

    £260£261£247Watford is higherDepends on how you count£299£301£284

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £92, Watford £84Watford: £84Merton: £92Watford: £85Merton: £92Watford: £80Merton: £87

    £92£92£87Merton is higher£84£85£80

  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: Merton £65, Watford £73Watford: £73Merton: £65Watford: £73Merton: £66Watford: £69Merton: £62

    £65£66£62Watford is higherDepends on how you count£73£73£69

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

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £1,586, Watford £1,682Watford: £1,682Merton: £1,586Watford: £1,689Merton: £1,593Watford: £1,595Merton: £1,504

    £1,586£1,593£1,504Watford is higherDepends on how you count£1,682£1,689£1,595

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Merton £283, Watford £260Watford: £260Merton: £283Watford: £261Merton: £284Watford: £247Merton: £268

    £283£284£268Merton is higher£260£261£247

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

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £155, Watford £179Watford: £179Merton: £155Watford: £180Merton: £156Watford: £170Merton: £147

    £155£156£147Watford is higherDepends on how you count£179£180£170

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

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £8.86, Watford £11Watford: £11Merton: £8.86Watford: £11Merton: £8.89Watford: £10Merton: £8.40

    £8.86£8.89£8.40Watford is higherDepends on how you count£11£11£10

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

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £4.08, Watford £3.08Watford: £3.08Merton: £4.08Watford: £3.09Merton: £4.10Watford: £2.92Merton: £3.87

    £4.08£4.10£3.87Merton is higher£3.08£3.09£2.92

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Merton £5.78, Watford £6.69Watford: £6.69Merton: £5.78Watford: £6.72Merton: £5.80Watford: £6.35Merton: £5.48

    £5.78£5.80£5.48Watford is higherDepends on how you count£6.69£6.72£6.35

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

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Merton 989.4, Watford 989.1Watford: 989.1Merton: 989.4

    989.4Merton is higher989.1

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

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Merton 133.5, Watford 113.3Watford: 113.3Merton: 133.5

    133.5Merton is higher113.3

  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: Merton 127.2, Watford 150.7Watford: 150.7Merton: 127.2

    127.2Watford is higherDepends on how you count150.7

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Merton 40.5, Watford 47.1Watford: 47.1Merton: 40.5

    40.5Watford is higherDepends on how you count47.1

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

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Merton 156.7, Watford 174.9Watford: 174.9Merton: 156.7

    156.7Watford is higherDepends on how you count174.9

  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: Merton 14.7, Watford 17.3Watford: 17.3Merton: 14.7

    14.7Watford is higherDepends on how you count17.3

Show the numbers
Merton and Watford, per person in the age group
MeasureMertonWatfordHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,406£3,420£3,231£3,458£3,473£3,280Watford
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£12,347£12,399£11,711£12,493£12,546£11,850Watford
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,819£1,827£1,725£1,948£1,956£1,847Watford
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£10,821£10,867£10,264£11,153£11,201£10,579Watford
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£880£884£835£593£595£562Merton
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£612£614£580£720£723£683Watford
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£34£34£32£27£27£26Merton
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£260£261£247£299£301£284Watford
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£92£92£87£84£85£80Merton
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£65£66£62£73£73£69Watford
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,586£1,593£1,504£1,682£1,689£1,595Watford
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£283£284£268£260£261£247Merton
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£155£156£147£179£180£170Watford
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£8.86£8.89£8.40£11£11£10Watford
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£4.08£4.10£3.87£3.08£3.09£2.92Merton
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5.78£5.80£5.48£6.69£6.72£6.35Watford
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026989.4989.1Merton
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026133.5113.3Merton
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026127.2150.7Watford
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202640.547.1Watford
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026156.7174.9Watford
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202614.717.3Watford

Per resident

Merton is higher on 8 of 22 measures, and Watford on 14. 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

Merton Watford

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Merton £3,406, Watford £3,458Watford: £3,458Merton: £3,406Watford: £3,473Merton: £3,420Watford: £3,280Merton: £3,231

    £3,406£3,420£3,231Watford is higherDepends on how you count£3,458£3,473£3,280

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Merton £1,525, Watford £1,518Watford: £1,518Merton: £1,525Watford: £1,525Merton: £1,532Watford: £1,440Merton: £1,447

    £1,525£1,532£1,447Merton is higherDepends on how you count£1,518£1,525£1,440

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Merton £1,240, Watford £1,290Watford: £1,290Merton: £1,240Watford: £1,295Merton: £1,245Watford: £1,223Merton: £1,176

    £1,240£1,245£1,176Watford is higherDepends on how you count£1,290£1,295£1,223

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Merton £1,337, Watford £1,356Watford: £1,356Merton: £1,337Watford: £1,361Merton: £1,342Watford: £1,286Merton: £1,268

    £1,337£1,342£1,268Watford is higherDepends on how you count£1,356£1,361£1,286

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Merton £109, Watford £72Watford: £72Merton: £109Watford: £72Merton: £109Watford: £68Merton: £103

    £109£109£103Merton is higher£72£72£68

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £76, Watford £88Watford: £88Merton: £76Watford: £88Merton: £76Watford: £83Merton: £72

    £76£76£72Watford is higherDepends on how you count£88£88£83

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Merton £4.20, Watford £3.31Watford: £3.31Merton: £4.20Watford: £3.32Merton: £4.21Watford: £3.14Merton: £3.98

    £4.20£4.21£3.98Merton is higher£3.31£3.32£3.14

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £260, Watford £299Watford: £299Merton: £260Watford: £301Merton: £261Watford: £284Merton: £247

    £260£261£247Watford is higherDepends on how you count£299£301£284

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £92, Watford £84Watford: £84Merton: £92Watford: £85Merton: £92Watford: £80Merton: £87

    £92£92£87Merton is higher£84£85£80

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Merton £44, Watford £48Watford: £48Merton: £44Watford: £49Merton: £45Watford: £46Merton: £42

    £44£45£42Watford is higherDepends on how you count£48£49£46

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Merton £1,081, Watford £1,114Watford: £1,114Merton: £1,081Watford: £1,118Merton: £1,086Watford: £1,056Merton: £1,025

    £1,081£1,086£1,025Watford is higherDepends on how you count£1,114£1,118£1,056

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Merton £283, Watford £260Watford: £260Merton: £283Watford: £261Merton: £284Watford: £247Merton: £268

    £283£284£268Merton is higher£260£261£247

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Merton £106, Watford £119Watford: £119Merton: £106Watford: £119Merton: £106Watford: £113Merton: £100

    £106£106£100Watford is higherDepends on how you count£119£119£113

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Merton £6.03, Watford £7.03Watford: £7.03Merton: £6.03Watford: £7.06Merton: £6.06Watford: £6.67Merton: £5.72

    £6.03£6.06£5.72Watford is higherDepends on how you count£7.03£7.06£6.67

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Merton £2.78, Watford £2.03Watford: £2.03Merton: £2.78Watford: £2.04Merton: £2.80Watford: £1.93Merton: £2.64

    £2.78£2.80£2.64Merton is higher£2.03£2.04£1.93

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Merton £5.78, Watford £6.69Watford: £6.69Merton: £5.78Watford: £6.72Merton: £5.80Watford: £6.35Merton: £5.48

    £5.78£5.80£5.48Watford is higherDepends on how you count£6.69£6.72£6.35

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Merton 122.2, Watford 120.2Watford: 120.2Merton: 122.2

    122.2Merton is higher120.2

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Merton 16.5, Watford 13.8Watford: 13.8Merton: 16.5

    16.5Merton is higher13.8

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Merton 15.7, Watford 18.3Watford: 18.3Merton: 15.7

    15.7Watford is higherDepends on how you count18.3

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Merton 40.5, Watford 47.1Watford: 47.1Merton: 40.5

    40.5Watford is higherDepends on how you count47.1

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Merton 106.8, Watford 115.8Watford: 115.8Merton: 106.8

    106.8Watford is higherDepends on how you count115.8

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Merton 10.0, Watford 11.4Watford: 11.4Merton: 10.0

    10.0Watford is higherDepends on how you count11.4

Show the numbers
Merton and Watford, per resident
MeasureMertonWatfordHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,406£3,420£3,231£3,458£3,473£3,280Watford
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,525£1,532£1,447£1,518£1,525£1,440Merton
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,240£1,245£1,176£1,290£1,295£1,223Watford
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£1,337£1,342£1,268£1,356£1,361£1,286Watford
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£109£109£103£72£72£68Merton
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£76£76£72£88£88£83Watford
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£4.20£4.21£3.98£3.31£3.32£3.14Merton
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£260£261£247£299£301£284Watford
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£92£92£87£84£85£80Merton
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£44£45£42£48£49£46Watford
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£1,081£1,086£1,025£1,114£1,118£1,056Watford
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£283£284£268£260£261£247Merton
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£106£106£100£119£119£113Watford
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£6.03£6.06£5.72£7.03£7.06£6.67Watford
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£2.78£2.80£2.64£2.03£2.04£1.93Merton
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5.78£5.80£5.48£6.69£6.72£6.35Watford
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026122.2120.2Merton
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202616.513.8Merton
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202615.718.3Watford
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202640.547.1Watford
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026106.8115.8Watford
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202610.011.4Watford

Total

Merton is higher on 22 of 22 measures, and Watford on 0. 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

Merton Watford

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Merton £749.3m, Watford £369.4mWatford: £369.4mMerton: £749.3mWatford: £370.9mMerton: £752.5mWatford: £350.3mMerton: £710.8m

    £749.3m£752.5m£710.8mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£369.4m£370.9m£350.3m

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Merton £335.6m, Watford £162.2mWatford: £162.2mMerton: £335.6mWatford: £162.9mMerton: £337.0mWatford: £153.8mMerton: £318.3m

    £335.6m£337.0m£318.3mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£162.2m£162.9m£153.8m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Merton £272.8m, Watford £137.7mWatford: £137.7mMerton: £272.8mWatford: £138.3mMerton: £274.0mWatford: £130.7mMerton: £258.8m

    £272.8m£274.0m£258.8mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£137.7m£138.3m£130.7m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Merton £294.1m, Watford £144.8mWatford: £144.8mMerton: £294.1mWatford: £145.4mMerton: £295.4mWatford: £137.3mMerton: £279.0m

    £294.1m£295.4m£279.0mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£144.8m£145.4m£137.3m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Merton £23.9m, Watford £7.7mWatford: £7.7mMerton: £23.9mWatford: £7.7mMerton: £24.0mWatford: £7.3mMerton: £22.7m

    £23.9m£24.0m£22.7mMerton is higher£7.7m£7.7m£7.3m

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Merton £16.6m, Watford £9.3mWatford: £9.3mMerton: £16.6mWatford: £9.4mMerton: £16.7mWatford: £8.9mMerton: £15.8m

    £16.6m£16.7m£15.8mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£9.3m£9.4m£8.9m

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Merton £0.92m, Watford £0.35mWatford: £0.35mMerton: £0.92mWatford: £0.35mMerton: £0.93mWatford: £0.34mMerton: £0.88m

    £0.92m£0.93m£0.88mMerton is higher£0.35m£0.35m£0.34m

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Merton £57.3m, Watford £32.0mWatford: £32.0mMerton: £57.3mWatford: £32.1mMerton: £57.5mWatford: £30.3mMerton: £54.3m

    £57.3m£57.5m£54.3mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£32.0m£32.1m£30.3m

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Merton £20.2m, Watford £9.0mWatford: £9.0mMerton: £20.2mWatford: £9.0mMerton: £20.3mWatford: £8.5mMerton: £19.2m

    £20.2m£20.3m£19.2mMerton is higher£9.0m£9.0m£8.5m

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Merton £9.8m, Watford £5.2mWatford: £5.2mMerton: £9.8mWatford: £5.2mMerton: £9.8mWatford: £4.9mMerton: £9.3m

    £9.8m£9.8m£9.3mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£5.2m£5.2m£4.9m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Merton £237.9m, Watford £118.9mWatford: £118.9mMerton: £237.9mWatford: £119.4mMerton: £238.9mWatford: £112.8mMerton: £225.6m

    £237.9m£238.9m£225.6mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£118.9m£119.4m£112.8m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Merton £62.2m, Watford £27.8mWatford: £27.8mMerton: £62.2mWatford: £27.9mMerton: £62.4mWatford: £26.3mMerton: £59.0m

    £62.2m£62.4m£59.0mMerton is higher£27.8m£27.9m£26.3m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Merton £23.2m, Watford £12.7mWatford: £12.7mMerton: £23.2mWatford: £12.7mMerton: £23.3mWatford: £12.0mMerton: £22.0m

    £23.2m£23.3m£22.0mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£12.7m£12.7m£12.0m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Merton £1.3m, Watford £0.75mWatford: £0.75mMerton: £1.3mWatford: £0.75mMerton: £1.3mWatford: £0.71mMerton: £1.3m

    £1.3mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£0.75m£0.75m£0.71m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Merton £0.61m, Watford £0.22mWatford: £0.22mMerton: £0.61mWatford: £0.22mMerton: £0.61mWatford: £0.21mMerton: £0.58m

    £0.61m£0.61m£0.58mMerton is higher£0.22m£0.22m£0.21m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Merton £1.3m, Watford £0.72mWatford: £0.72mMerton: £1.3mWatford: £0.72mMerton: £1.3mWatford: £0.68mMerton: £1.2m

    £1.3m£1.3m£1.2mMerton is higherDepends on how you count£0.72m£0.72m£0.68m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Merton 26,891, Watford 12,839Watford: 12,839Merton: 26,891

    26,891Merton is higher12,839

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Merton 3,629, Watford 1,470Watford: 1,470Merton: 3,629

    3,629Merton is higher1,470

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Merton 3,456, Watford 1,956Watford: 1,956Merton: 3,456

    3,456Merton is higherDepends on how you count1,956

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Merton 8,915, Watford 5,029Watford: 5,029Merton: 8,915

    8,915Merton is higherDepends on how you count5,029

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Merton 23,497, Watford 12,368Watford: 12,368Merton: 23,497

    23,497Merton is higherDepends on how you count12,368

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Merton 2,203, Watford 1,220Watford: 1,220Merton: 2,203

    2,203Merton is higherDepends on how you count1,220

Show the numbers
Merton and Watford, total
MeasureMertonWatfordHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£749.3m£752.5m£710.8m£369.4m£370.9m£350.3mMerton
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£335.6m£337.0m£318.3m£162.2m£162.9m£153.8mMerton
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£272.8m£274.0m£258.8m£137.7m£138.3m£130.7mMerton
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£294.1m£295.4m£279.0m£144.8m£145.4m£137.3mMerton
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£23.9m£24.0m£22.7m£7.7m£7.7m£7.3mMerton
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£16.6m£16.7m£15.8m£9.3m£9.4m£8.9mMerton
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.92m£0.93m£0.88m£0.35m£0.35m£0.34mMerton
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£57.3m£57.5m£54.3m£32.0m£32.1m£30.3mMerton
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£20.2m£20.3m£19.2m£9.0m£9.0m£8.5mMerton
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£9.8m£9.8m£9.3m£5.2m£5.2m£4.9mMerton
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£237.9m£238.9m£225.6m£118.9m£119.4m£112.8mMerton
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£62.2m£62.4m£59.0m£27.8m£27.9m£26.3mMerton
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£23.2m£23.3m£22.0m£12.7m£12.7m£12.0mMerton
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£1.3m£0.75m£0.75m£0.71mMerton
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.61m£0.61m£0.58m£0.22m£0.22m£0.21mMerton
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£1.3m£1.3m£1.2m£0.72m£0.72m£0.68mMerton
State Pensiontotal, March 202626,89112,839Merton
Pension Credittotal, March 20263,6291,470Merton
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20263,4561,956Merton
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20268,9155,029Merton
Universal Credittotal, May 202623,49712,368Merton
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20262,2031,220Merton

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.