An applicable amount is the amount the government says you need to live on each week.

Your applicable amount is made up of three parts

• An amount for you and your partner, if you have one
• An amount for any dependent children in your family
• An amount called a premium to help with special needs, for example, if you have children, or if someone in your family is elderly or disabled.

These amounts are set by the government and normally change every year. Your award is calculated comparing income with applicable amounts.