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Waltham Forest and Merton

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

Waltham Forest is higher than Merton on 21 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 16 of 22 per resident and 22 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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Waltham Forest and Merton 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

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

Waltham Forest Merton

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

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

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

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

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Waltham Forest 1,044.7, Merton 989.4Merton: 989.4Waltham Forest: 1,044.7

    1,044.7Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count989.4

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

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Waltham Forest 213.5, Merton 133.5Merton: 133.5Waltham Forest: 213.5

    213.5Waltham Forest is higher133.5

  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: Waltham Forest 153.4, Merton 127.2Merton: 127.2Waltham Forest: 153.4

    153.4Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count127.2

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Waltham Forest 56.2, Merton 40.5Merton: 40.5Waltham Forest: 56.2

    56.2Waltham Forest is higher40.5

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

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Waltham Forest 212.9, Merton 156.7Merton: 156.7Waltham Forest: 212.9

    212.9Waltham Forest is higher156.7

  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: Waltham Forest 22.8, Merton 14.7Merton: 14.7Waltham Forest: 22.8

    22.8Waltham Forest is higher14.7

Show the numbers
Waltham Forest and Merton, per person in the age group
MeasureWaltham ForestMertonHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,836£3,852£3,639£3,406£3,420£3,231Waltham Forest
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£13,049£13,105£12,378£12,347£12,399£11,711Waltham Forest
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£2,478£2,488£2,350£1,819£1,827£1,725Waltham Forest
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,005£11,052£10,439£10,821£10,867£10,264Waltham Forest
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£1,280£1,286£1,215£880£884£835Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£711£714£674£612£614£580Waltham Forest
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£53£53£50£34£34£32Waltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£357£359£339£260£261£247Waltham Forest
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£116£116£110£92£92£87Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£99£100£94£65£66£62Waltham Forest
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£2,135£2,144£2,025£1,586£1,593£1,504Waltham Forest
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£335£337£318£283£284£268Waltham Forest
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£226£227£214£155£156£147Waltham Forest
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£11£11£10£8.86£8.89£8.40Waltham Forest
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£6.81£6.84£6.46£4.08£4.10£3.87Waltham Forest
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5.06£5.08£4.80£5.78£5.80£5.48Merton
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 20261,044.7989.4Waltham Forest
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026213.5133.5Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026153.4127.2Waltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202656.240.5Waltham Forest
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026212.9156.7Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202622.814.7Waltham Forest

Per resident

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

Waltham Forest Merton

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Waltham Forest £5.22, Merton £4.20Merton: £4.20Waltham Forest: £5.22Merton: £4.21Waltham Forest: £5.24Merton: £3.98Waltham Forest: £4.95

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

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

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

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

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

    103.3Merton is higherDepends on how you count122.2

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

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

    21.1Waltham Forest is higher16.5

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

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Waltham Forest 15.2, Merton 15.7Merton: 15.7Waltham Forest: 15.2

    15.2Merton is higherDepends on how you count15.7

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

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Waltham Forest 56.2, Merton 40.5Merton: 40.5Waltham Forest: 56.2

    56.2Waltham Forest is higher40.5

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

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

    148.9Waltham Forest is higher106.8

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

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Waltham Forest 15.9, Merton 10.0Merton: 10.0Waltham Forest: 15.9

    15.9Waltham Forest is higher10.0

Show the numbers
Waltham Forest and Merton, per resident
MeasureWaltham ForestMertonHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,836£3,852£3,639£3,406£3,420£3,231Waltham Forest
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,290£1,295£1,224£1,525£1,532£1,447Merton
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,733£1,740£1,644£1,240£1,245£1,176Waltham Forest
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£1,088£1,093£1,032£1,337£1,342£1,268Merton
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£127£127£120£109£109£103Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£70£71£67£76£76£72Merton
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£5.22£5.24£4.95£4.20£4.21£3.98Waltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£357£359£339£260£261£247Waltham Forest
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£116£116£110£92£92£87Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£70£70£66£44£45£42Waltham Forest
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£1,493£1,499£1,416£1,081£1,086£1,025Waltham Forest
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£335£337£318£283£284£268Waltham Forest
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£158£158£150£106£106£100Waltham Forest
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£7.71£7.74£7.31£6.03£6.06£5.72Waltham Forest
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£4.77£4.79£4.52£2.78£2.80£2.64Waltham Forest
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£5.06£5.08£4.80£5.78£5.80£5.48Merton
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026103.3122.2Merton
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202621.116.5Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202615.215.7Merton
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202656.240.5Waltham Forest
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026148.9106.8Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202615.910.0Waltham Forest

Total

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

Waltham Forest Merton

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

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

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

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

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

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

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

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

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

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

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

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

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Waltham Forest £1.5m, Merton £0.92mMerton: £0.92mWaltham Forest: £1.5mMerton: £0.93mWaltham Forest: £1.5mMerton: £0.88mWaltham Forest: £1.4m

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

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

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

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

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

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

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

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

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

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

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

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

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

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

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

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

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

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

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

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

    29,307Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count26,891

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

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

    5,988Waltham Forest is higher3,629

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

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

    4,302Waltham Forest is higherDepends on how you count3,456

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

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

    15,935Waltham Forest is higher8,915

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

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

    42,255Waltham Forest is higher23,497

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

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

    4,516Waltham Forest is higher2,203

Show the numbers
Waltham Forest and Merton, total
MeasureWaltham ForestMertonHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£1.1bn£1.1bn£1.0bn£749.3m£752.5m£710.8mWaltham Forest
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£366.1m£367.6m£347.2m£335.6m£337.0m£318.3mWaltham Forest
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£491.7m£493.8m£466.4m£272.8m£274.0m£258.8mWaltham Forest
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£308.7m£310.1m£292.9m£294.1m£295.4m£279.0mWaltham Forest
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£35.9m£36.1m£34.1m£23.9m£24.0m£22.7mWaltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£19.9m£20.0m£18.9m£16.6m£16.7m£15.8mWaltham Forest
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£1.5m£1.5m£1.4m£0.92m£0.93m£0.88mWaltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£101.4m£101.8m£96.2m£57.3m£57.5m£54.3mWaltham Forest
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£32.8m£32.9m£31.1m£20.2m£20.3m£19.2mWaltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£19.7m£19.8m£18.7m£9.8m£9.8m£9.3mWaltham Forest
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£423.7m£425.5m£401.9m£237.9m£238.9m£225.6mWaltham Forest
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£95.1m£95.5m£90.2m£62.2m£62.4m£59.0mWaltham Forest
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£44.8m£45.0m£42.5m£23.2m£23.3m£22.0mWaltham Forest
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£2.2m£2.2m£2.1m£1.3mWaltham Forest
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£1.4m£1.4m£1.3m£0.61m£0.61m£0.58mWaltham Forest
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£1.4m£1.3m£1.3m£1.2mWaltham Forest
State Pensiontotal, March 202629,30726,891Waltham Forest
Pension Credittotal, March 20265,9883,629Waltham Forest
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20264,3023,456Waltham Forest
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 202615,9358,915Waltham Forest
Universal Credittotal, May 202642,25523,497Waltham Forest
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20264,5162,203Waltham 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.