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Merton and Waltham Forest

220,020 and 283,782 residents (mid-2024).

Merton is higher than Waltham Forest on 1 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 6 of 22 per resident and 0 of 22 in total.

On 6 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.

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Merton and Waltham Forest 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 1 of 22 measures, and Waltham Forest on 21. 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 Waltham Forest

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Merton £3,406, Waltham Forest £3,836Waltham Forest: £3,836Merton: £3,406Waltham Forest: £3,852Merton: £3,420Waltham Forest: £3,639Merton: £3,231

    £3,406£3,420£3,231Waltham Forest is higher£3,836£3,852£3,639

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

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Merton £12,347, Waltham Forest £13,049Waltham Forest: £13,049Merton: £12,347Waltham Forest: £13,105Merton: £12,399Waltham Forest: £12,378Merton: £11,711

    £12,347£12,399£11,711Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count£13,049£13,105£12,378

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

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £1,819, Waltham Forest £2,478Waltham Forest: £2,478Merton: £1,819Waltham Forest: £2,488Merton: £1,827Waltham Forest: £2,350Merton: £1,725

    £1,819£1,827£1,725Waltham Forest is higher£2,478£2,488£2,350

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

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Merton £10,821, Waltham Forest £11,005Waltham Forest: £11,005Merton: £10,821Waltham Forest: £11,052Merton: £10,867Waltham Forest: £10,439Merton: £10,264

    £10,821£10,867£10,264Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count£11,005£11,052£10,439

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

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Merton £880, Waltham Forest £1,280Waltham Forest: £1,280Merton: £880Waltham Forest: £1,286Merton: £884Waltham Forest: £1,215Merton: £835

    £880£884£835Waltham Forest is higher£1,280£1,286£1,215

  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, Waltham Forest £711Waltham Forest: £711Merton: £612Waltham Forest: £714Merton: £614Waltham Forest: £674Merton: £580

    £612£614£580Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count£711£714£674

  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, Waltham Forest £53Waltham Forest: £53Merton: £34Waltham Forest: £53Merton: £34Waltham Forest: £50Merton: £32

    £34£34£32Waltham Forest is higher£53£53£50

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £260, Waltham Forest £357Waltham Forest: £357Merton: £260Waltham Forest: £359Merton: £261Waltham Forest: £339Merton: £247

    £260£261£247Waltham Forest is higher£357£359£339

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £92, Waltham Forest £116Waltham Forest: £116Merton: £92Waltham Forest: £116Merton: £92Waltham Forest: £110Merton: £87

    £92£92£87Waltham Forest is higher£116£116£110

  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, Waltham Forest £99Waltham Forest: £99Merton: £65Waltham Forest: £100Merton: £66Waltham Forest: £94Merton: £62

    £65£66£62Waltham Forest is higher£99£100£94

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

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £1,586, Waltham Forest £2,135Waltham Forest: £2,135Merton: £1,586Waltham Forest: £2,144Merton: £1,593Waltham Forest: £2,025Merton: £1,504

    £1,586£1,593£1,504Waltham Forest is higher£2,135£2,144£2,025

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Merton £283, Waltham Forest £335Waltham Forest: £335Merton: £283Waltham Forest: £337Merton: £284Waltham Forest: £318Merton: £268

    £283£284£268Waltham Forest is higher£335£337£318

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

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £155, Waltham Forest £226Waltham Forest: £226Merton: £155Waltham Forest: £227Merton: £156Waltham Forest: £214Merton: £147

    £155£156£147Waltham Forest is higher£226£227£214

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

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

    £8.86£8.89£8.40Waltham Forest is higher£11£11£10

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

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Merton £4.08, Waltham Forest £6.81Waltham Forest: £6.81Merton: £4.08Waltham Forest: £6.84Merton: £4.10Waltham Forest: £6.46Merton: £3.87

    £4.08£4.10£3.87Waltham Forest is higher£6.81£6.84£6.46

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Merton £5.78, Waltham Forest £5.06Waltham Forest: £5.06Merton: £5.78Waltham Forest: £5.08Merton: £5.80Waltham Forest: £4.80Merton: £5.48

    £5.78£5.80£5.48Merton is higherDepends on how you count£5.06£5.08£4.80

  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, Waltham Forest 1,044.7Waltham Forest: 1,044.7Merton: 989.4

    989.4Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count1,044.7

  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, Waltham Forest 213.5Waltham Forest: 213.5Merton: 133.5

    133.5Waltham Forest is higher213.5

  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, Waltham Forest 153.4Waltham Forest: 153.4Merton: 127.2

    127.2Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count153.4

  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, Waltham Forest 56.2Waltham Forest: 56.2Merton: 40.5

    40.5Waltham Forest is higher56.2

  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, Waltham Forest 212.9Waltham Forest: 212.9Merton: 156.7

    156.7Waltham Forest is higher212.9

  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, Waltham Forest 22.8Waltham Forest: 22.8Merton: 14.7

    14.7Waltham Forest is higher22.8

Show the numbers
Merton and Waltham Forest, per person in the age group
MeasureMertonWaltham ForestHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,406£3,420£3,231£3,836£3,852£3,639Waltham Forest
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£12,347£12,399£11,711£13,049£13,105£12,378Waltham Forest
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,819£1,827£1,725£2,478£2,488£2,350Waltham Forest
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£10,821£10,867£10,264£11,005£11,052£10,439Waltham Forest
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£880£884£835£1,280£1,286£1,215Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£612£614£580£711£714£674Waltham Forest
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£34£34£32£53£53£50Waltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£260£261£247£357£359£339Waltham Forest
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£92£92£87£116£116£110Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£65£66£62£99£100£94Waltham Forest
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,586£1,593£1,504£2,135£2,144£2,025Waltham Forest
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£283£284£268£335£337£318Waltham Forest
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£155£156£147£226£227£214Waltham Forest
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£8.86£8.89£8.40£11£11£10Waltham Forest
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£4.08£4.10£3.87£6.81£6.84£6.46Waltham Forest
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5.78£5.80£5.48£5.06£5.08£4.80Merton
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026989.41,044.7Waltham Forest
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026133.5213.5Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026127.2153.4Waltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202640.556.2Waltham Forest
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026156.7212.9Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202614.722.8Waltham Forest

Per resident

Merton is higher on 6 of 22 measures, and Waltham Forest on 16. 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 Waltham Forest

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Merton £3,406, Waltham Forest £3,836Waltham Forest: £3,836Merton: £3,406Waltham Forest: £3,852Merton: £3,420Waltham Forest: £3,639Merton: £3,231

    £3,406£3,420£3,231Waltham Forest is higher£3,836£3,852£3,639

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Merton £1,525, Waltham Forest £1,290Waltham Forest: £1,290Merton: £1,525Waltham Forest: £1,295Merton: £1,532Waltham Forest: £1,224Merton: £1,447

    £1,525£1,532£1,447Merton is higherDepends on how you count£1,290£1,295£1,224

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Merton £1,240, Waltham Forest £1,733Waltham Forest: £1,733Merton: £1,240Waltham Forest: £1,740Merton: £1,245Waltham Forest: £1,644Merton: £1,176

    £1,240£1,245£1,176Waltham Forest is higher£1,733£1,740£1,644

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Merton £1,337, Waltham Forest £1,088Waltham Forest: £1,088Merton: £1,337Waltham Forest: £1,093Merton: £1,342Waltham Forest: £1,032Merton: £1,268

    £1,337£1,342£1,268Merton is higherDepends on how you count£1,088£1,093£1,032

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Merton £109, Waltham Forest £127Waltham Forest: £127Merton: £109Waltham Forest: £127Merton: £109Waltham Forest: £120Merton: £103

    £109£109£103Waltham Forest is higher£127£127£120

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £76, Waltham Forest £70Waltham Forest: £70Merton: £76Waltham Forest: £71Merton: £76Waltham Forest: £67Merton: £72

    £76£76£72Merton is higherDepends on how you count£70£71£67

  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, Waltham Forest £5.22Waltham Forest: £5.22Merton: £4.20Waltham Forest: £5.24Merton: £4.21Waltham Forest: £4.95Merton: £3.98

    £4.20£4.21£3.98Waltham Forest is higher£5.22£5.24£4.95

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £260, Waltham Forest £357Waltham Forest: £357Merton: £260Waltham Forest: £359Merton: £261Waltham Forest: £339Merton: £247

    £260£261£247Waltham Forest is higher£357£359£339

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Merton £92, Waltham Forest £116Waltham Forest: £116Merton: £92Waltham Forest: £116Merton: £92Waltham Forest: £110Merton: £87

    £92£92£87Waltham Forest is higher£116£116£110

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Merton £44, Waltham Forest £70Waltham Forest: £70Merton: £44Waltham Forest: £70Merton: £45Waltham Forest: £66Merton: £42

    £44£45£42Waltham Forest is higher£70£70£66

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Merton £1,081, Waltham Forest £1,493Waltham Forest: £1,493Merton: £1,081Waltham Forest: £1,499Merton: £1,086Waltham Forest: £1,416Merton: £1,025

    £1,081£1,086£1,025Waltham Forest is higher£1,493£1,499£1,416

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Merton £283, Waltham Forest £335Waltham Forest: £335Merton: £283Waltham Forest: £337Merton: £284Waltham Forest: £318Merton: £268

    £283£284£268Waltham Forest is higher£335£337£318

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Merton £106, Waltham Forest £158Waltham Forest: £158Merton: £106Waltham Forest: £158Merton: £106Waltham Forest: £150Merton: £100

    £106£106£100Waltham Forest is higher£158£158£150

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Merton £6.03, Waltham Forest £7.71Waltham Forest: £7.71Merton: £6.03Waltham Forest: £7.74Merton: £6.06Waltham Forest: £7.31Merton: £5.72

    £6.03£6.06£5.72Waltham Forest is higher£7.71£7.74£7.31

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Merton £2.78, Waltham Forest £4.77Waltham Forest: £4.77Merton: £2.78Waltham Forest: £4.79Merton: £2.80Waltham Forest: £4.52Merton: £2.64

    £2.78£2.80£2.64Waltham Forest is higher£4.77£4.79£4.52

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Merton £5.78, Waltham Forest £5.06Waltham Forest: £5.06Merton: £5.78Waltham Forest: £5.08Merton: £5.80Waltham Forest: £4.80Merton: £5.48

    £5.78£5.80£5.48Merton is higherDepends on how you count£5.06£5.08£4.80

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Merton 122.2, Waltham Forest 103.3Waltham Forest: 103.3Merton: 122.2

    122.2Merton is higherDepends on how you count103.3

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Merton 16.5, Waltham Forest 21.1Waltham Forest: 21.1Merton: 16.5

    16.5Waltham Forest is higher21.1

  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, Waltham Forest 15.2Waltham Forest: 15.2Merton: 15.7

    15.7Merton is higherDepends on how you count15.2

  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, Waltham Forest 56.2Waltham Forest: 56.2Merton: 40.5

    40.5Waltham Forest is higher56.2

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Merton 106.8, Waltham Forest 148.9Waltham Forest: 148.9Merton: 106.8

    106.8Waltham Forest is higher148.9

  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, Waltham Forest 15.9Waltham Forest: 15.9Merton: 10.0

    10.0Waltham Forest is higher15.9

Show the numbers
Merton and Waltham Forest, per resident
MeasureMertonWaltham ForestHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,406£3,420£3,231£3,836£3,852£3,639Waltham Forest
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,525£1,532£1,447£1,290£1,295£1,224Merton
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,240£1,245£1,176£1,733£1,740£1,644Waltham Forest
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£1,337£1,342£1,268£1,088£1,093£1,032Merton
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£109£109£103£127£127£120Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£76£76£72£70£71£67Merton
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£4.20£4.21£3.98£5.22£5.24£4.95Waltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£260£261£247£357£359£339Waltham Forest
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£92£92£87£116£116£110Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£44£45£42£70£70£66Waltham Forest
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£1,081£1,086£1,025£1,493£1,499£1,416Waltham Forest
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£283£284£268£335£337£318Waltham Forest
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£106£106£100£158£158£150Waltham Forest
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£6.03£6.06£5.72£7.71£7.74£7.31Waltham Forest
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£2.78£2.80£2.64£4.77£4.79£4.52Waltham Forest
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5.78£5.80£5.48£5.06£5.08£4.80Merton
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026122.2103.3Merton
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202616.521.1Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202615.715.2Merton
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202640.556.2Waltham Forest
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026106.8148.9Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202610.015.9Waltham Forest

Total

Merton is higher on 0 of 22 measures, and Waltham Forest on 22. 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 Waltham Forest

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Merton £749.3m, Waltham Forest £1.1bnWaltham Forest: £1.1bnMerton: £749.3mWaltham Forest: £1.1bnMerton: £752.5mWaltham Forest: £1.0bnMerton: £710.8m

    £749.3m£752.5m£710.8mWaltham Forest is higher£1.1bn£1.1bn£1.0bn

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Merton £335.6m, Waltham Forest £366.1mWaltham Forest: £366.1mMerton: £335.6mWaltham Forest: £367.6mMerton: £337.0mWaltham Forest: £347.2mMerton: £318.3m

    £335.6m£337.0m£318.3mWaltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count£366.1m£367.6m£347.2m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Merton £272.8m, Waltham Forest £491.7mWaltham Forest: £491.7mMerton: £272.8mWaltham Forest: £493.8mMerton: £274.0mWaltham Forest: £466.4mMerton: £258.8m

    £272.8m£274.0m£258.8mWaltham Forest is higher£491.7m£493.8m£466.4m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Merton £294.1m, Waltham Forest £308.7mWaltham Forest: £308.7mMerton: £294.1mWaltham Forest: £310.1mMerton: £295.4mWaltham Forest: £292.9mMerton: £279.0m

    £294.1m£295.4m£279.0mWaltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count£308.7m£310.1m£292.9m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Merton £23.9m, Waltham Forest £35.9mWaltham Forest: £35.9mMerton: £23.9mWaltham Forest: £36.1mMerton: £24.0mWaltham Forest: £34.1mMerton: £22.7m

    £23.9m£24.0m£22.7mWaltham Forest is higher£35.9m£36.1m£34.1m

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Merton £16.6m, Waltham Forest £19.9mWaltham Forest: £19.9mMerton: £16.6mWaltham Forest: £20.0mMerton: £16.7mWaltham Forest: £18.9mMerton: £15.8m

    £16.6m£16.7m£15.8mWaltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count£19.9m£20.0m£18.9m

  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, Waltham Forest £1.5mWaltham Forest: £1.5mMerton: £0.92mWaltham Forest: £1.5mMerton: £0.93mWaltham Forest: £1.4mMerton: £0.88m

    £0.92m£0.93m£0.88mWaltham Forest is higher£1.5m£1.5m£1.4m

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Merton £57.3m, Waltham Forest £101.4mWaltham Forest: £101.4mMerton: £57.3mWaltham Forest: £101.8mMerton: £57.5mWaltham Forest: £96.2mMerton: £54.3m

    £57.3m£57.5m£54.3mWaltham Forest is higher£101.4m£101.8m£96.2m

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

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Merton £20.2m, Waltham Forest £32.8mWaltham Forest: £32.8mMerton: £20.2mWaltham Forest: £32.9mMerton: £20.3mWaltham Forest: £31.1mMerton: £19.2m

    £20.2m£20.3m£19.2mWaltham Forest is higher£32.8m£32.9m£31.1m

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Merton £9.8m, Waltham Forest £19.7mWaltham Forest: £19.7mMerton: £9.8mWaltham Forest: £19.8mMerton: £9.8mWaltham Forest: £18.7mMerton: £9.3m

    £9.8m£9.8m£9.3mWaltham Forest is higher£19.7m£19.8m£18.7m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Merton £237.9m, Waltham Forest £423.7mWaltham Forest: £423.7mMerton: £237.9mWaltham Forest: £425.5mMerton: £238.9mWaltham Forest: £401.9mMerton: £225.6m

    £237.9m£238.9m£225.6mWaltham Forest is higher£423.7m£425.5m£401.9m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Merton £62.2m, Waltham Forest £95.1mWaltham Forest: £95.1mMerton: £62.2mWaltham Forest: £95.5mMerton: £62.4mWaltham Forest: £90.2mMerton: £59.0m

    £62.2m£62.4m£59.0mWaltham Forest is higher£95.1m£95.5m£90.2m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Merton £23.2m, Waltham Forest £44.8mWaltham Forest: £44.8mMerton: £23.2mWaltham Forest: £45.0mMerton: £23.3mWaltham Forest: £42.5mMerton: £22.0m

    £23.2m£23.3m£22.0mWaltham Forest is higher£44.8m£45.0m£42.5m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Merton £1.3m, Waltham Forest £2.2mWaltham Forest: £2.2mMerton: £1.3mWaltham Forest: £2.2mMerton: £1.3mWaltham Forest: £2.1mMerton: £1.3m

    £1.3mWaltham Forest is higher£2.2m£2.2m£2.1m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Merton £0.61m, Waltham Forest £1.4mWaltham Forest: £1.4mMerton: £0.61mWaltham Forest: £1.4mMerton: £0.61mWaltham Forest: £1.3mMerton: £0.58m

    £0.61m£0.61m£0.58mWaltham Forest is higher£1.4m£1.4m£1.3m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Merton £1.3m, Waltham Forest £1.4mWaltham Forest: £1.4mMerton: £1.3mWaltham Forest: £1.4mMerton: £1.3mWaltham Forest: £1.4mMerton: £1.2m

    £1.3m£1.3m£1.2mWaltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count£1.4m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Merton 26,891, Waltham Forest 29,307Waltham Forest: 29,307Merton: 26,891

    26,891Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count29,307

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Merton 3,629, Waltham Forest 5,988Waltham Forest: 5,988Merton: 3,629

    3,629Waltham Forest is higher5,988

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Merton 3,456, Waltham Forest 4,302Waltham Forest: 4,302Merton: 3,456

    3,456Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count4,302

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Merton 8,915, Waltham Forest 15,935Waltham Forest: 15,935Merton: 8,915

    8,915Waltham Forest is higher15,935

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Merton 23,497, Waltham Forest 42,255Waltham Forest: 42,255Merton: 23,497

    23,497Waltham Forest is higher42,255

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Merton 2,203, Waltham Forest 4,516Waltham Forest: 4,516Merton: 2,203

    2,203Waltham Forest is higher4,516

Show the numbers
Merton and Waltham Forest, total
MeasureMertonWaltham ForestHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£749.3m£752.5m£710.8m£1.1bn£1.1bn£1.0bnWaltham Forest
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£335.6m£337.0m£318.3m£366.1m£367.6m£347.2mWaltham Forest
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£272.8m£274.0m£258.8m£491.7m£493.8m£466.4mWaltham Forest
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£294.1m£295.4m£279.0m£308.7m£310.1m£292.9mWaltham Forest
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£23.9m£24.0m£22.7m£35.9m£36.1m£34.1mWaltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£16.6m£16.7m£15.8m£19.9m£20.0m£18.9mWaltham Forest
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.92m£0.93m£0.88m£1.5m£1.5m£1.4mWaltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£57.3m£57.5m£54.3m£101.4m£101.8m£96.2mWaltham Forest
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£20.2m£20.3m£19.2m£32.8m£32.9m£31.1mWaltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£9.8m£9.8m£9.3m£19.7m£19.8m£18.7mWaltham Forest
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£237.9m£238.9m£225.6m£423.7m£425.5m£401.9mWaltham Forest
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£62.2m£62.4m£59.0m£95.1m£95.5m£90.2mWaltham Forest
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£23.2m£23.3m£22.0m£44.8m£45.0m£42.5mWaltham Forest
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£1.3m£2.2m£2.2m£2.1mWaltham Forest
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.61m£0.61m£0.58m£1.4m£1.4m£1.3mWaltham Forest
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£1.3m£1.3m£1.2m£1.4mWaltham Forest
State Pensiontotal, March 202626,89129,307Waltham Forest
Pension Credittotal, March 20263,6295,988Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20263,4564,302Waltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20268,91515,935Waltham Forest
Universal Credittotal, May 202623,49742,255Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20262,2034,516Waltham Forest

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.