Universal Credit and families with more than 2 children: information for stakeholders
This guidance will help you in your conversations with claimants who may be affected by the Universal Credit 2 child policy.
Documents
Details
Universal Credit claimants willcannot no longer be able to claim payment for a third child or any subsequent children who are born on or after 6 April 2017. Some exceptions will apply according to an individual’s circumstances.
This stakeholder guidance covers the following topics:
- policy background
- advice for existing and new claimants
- exceptions
- required evidence for exceptions
- additional information, including the definition of a qualifying young person
The 2-child limit will end from April 2026
Until then, claimants are only entitled to payments for third and subsequent children if exceptions apply.
The benefit cap will stay the same.
Updates to this page
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The Universal Credit extra amount for children '2-child limit' will end from April 2026. It remains in place until then.
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Textphone details removed; Relay UK details added.
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Removed out of date PDFs. Updated the accessible html versions: removed the survey links, updated the extra amount you could receive for a child born before 6 April 2017 to £339.
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Updated English and Welsh 'Universal Credit and families with more than 2 children: information for stakeholders'. 'Background' section now has the higher rate of child element effective from 6 April 2020.
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Replaced the attachment Universal Credit: detailed guidance on the policy to provide support for a maximum of 2 children.
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Updated guidance to reflect that new claims to Universal Credit can now be made by households with more than 2 children.
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Updated the guide to correct some drafting errors.
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Updated to reflect regulation change for adopted and kinship care children.
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Universal Credit live service telephone helpline opening hours changed to 9am to 4pm.
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Updated guide with new 0800 freephone numbers for Universal Credit.
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Amendment to the date claimants with 3 or more children are able to claim UC.
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Amended text relating to new claimants.
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First published.