diff --git a/component/scripts/validation.py b/component/scripts/validation.py
index 913adcca..f4210ee4 100644
--- a/component/scripts/validation.py
+++ b/component/scripts/validation.py
@@ -558,7 +558,7 @@ def validate_benefit_data(benefits_data: dict) -> Tuple[bool, List[dict]]:
 
     Checks:
     - All benefit arrays have matching lengths
-    - Each benefit has valid weights (should be numeric 1-7)
+    - Each benefit has valid weights (should be numeric 0-4)
 
     Args:
         benefits_data: Dictionary containing benefit arrays
@@ -594,18 +594,20 @@ def validate_benefit_data(benefits_data: dict) -> Tuple[bool, List[dict]]:
             name = benefits_data["names"][i]
             weight = benefits_data["weights"][i]
 
-            # Validate the weight (should be numeric 1-7)
+            # Validate the weight. The benefit weight selector only offers
+            # values 0-4 (see component/widget/benefit_row.py), where 0 means
+            # the benefit is disabled, so that is the valid range.
             is_valid = True
             error_msg = ""
 
             if not isinstance(weight, (int, float)):
                 is_valid = False
                 error_msg = (
-                    f"Expected numeric weight (1-7), got {type(weight).__name__}"
+                    f"Expected numeric weight (0-4), got {type(weight).__name__}"
                 )
-            elif weight < 1 or weight > 7:
+            elif weight < 0 or weight > 4:
                 is_valid = False
-                error_msg = f"Weight must be between 1 and 7, got {weight}"
+                error_msg = f"Weight must be between 0 and 4, got {weight}"
 
             if not is_valid:
                 invalid_benefits.append(
diff --git a/tests/test_recipe.py b/tests/test_recipe.py
index 782e61a0..d8eb46e2 100644
--- a/tests/test_recipe.py
+++ b/tests/test_recipe.py
@@ -211,7 +211,9 @@ def test_load_recipe(recipe: Recipe):
         "wood",
     ]
 
-    assert recipe.benefit_model.weights == [4, 4, 2, 1, 1, 4]
+    # 0 is a valid weight (benefit disabled); it loads unchanged rather than
+    # being sanitized to the default of 4.
+    assert recipe.benefit_model.weights == [0, 0, 2, 1, 1, 0]
 
     # Check the constraint model
 
diff --git a/tests/test_validation.py b/tests/test_validation.py
index e2ec7301..8d247568 100644
--- a/tests/test_validation.py
+++ b/tests/test_validation.py
@@ -12,12 +12,67 @@
     test_antq1_recipe_path,
     test_antq2_recipe_path,
 )
-from component.scripts.validation import are_comparable, validate_scenarios_recipes
+from component.scripts.validation import (
+    are_comparable,
+    validate_benefit_data,
+    validate_scenarios_recipes,
+)
 
 
 test_recipe_path, test_antq1_recipe_path, test_antq2_recipe_path
 
 
+def _benefits(weights):
+    """Build a minimal, length-consistent benefits dict for the given weights."""
+    n = len(weights)
+    return {
+        "names": [f"benefit_{i}" for i in range(n)],
+        "ids": [f"id_{i}" for i in range(n)],
+        "weights": weights,
+        "themes": ["bii"] * n,
+        "assets": ["asset"] * n,
+        "descs": ["desc"] * n,
+        "units": ["unit"] * n,
+    }
+
+
+def test_benefit_weight_zero_is_valid():
+    """Weight 0 means 'benefit disabled' and must pass validation.
+
+    The weight selector (component/widget/benefit_row.py) only offers
+    values 0-4, so 0 is a legitimate, app-produced value.
+    """
+    is_valid, errors = validate_benefit_data(_benefits([0, 4, 0, 0]))
+
+    assert is_valid
+    assert errors == []
+
+
+def test_benefit_full_weight_range_is_valid():
+    """All selectable weights (0-4) are accepted."""
+    is_valid, errors = validate_benefit_data(_benefits([0, 1, 2, 3, 4]))
+
+    assert is_valid
+    assert errors == []
+
+
+def test_benefit_weight_above_range_is_invalid():
+    """Weights above the selectable range (>4) are rejected."""
+    is_valid, errors = validate_benefit_data(_benefits([5]))
+
+    assert not is_valid
+    assert len(errors) == 1
+    assert errors[0]["values"] == 5
+
+
+def test_benefit_weight_below_range_is_invalid():
+    """Negative weights are rejected."""
+    is_valid, errors = validate_benefit_data(_benefits([-1]))
+
+    assert not is_valid
+    assert len(errors) == 1
+
+
 def test_validate_scenarios_recipes():
 
     recipe_paths: RecipePaths = {