Original document : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-your-family-quick-guide

Change description : 2025-04-07 00:15:00: From 7 April, the maximum amount you can receive for childcare costs increased to £1,031.88 for one child, and £1,768.94 for 2 or more children. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2024-12-18 10:55:53.059669856 +00:00..2025-04-06 23:17:54.753797269 +00:00

Guidance

Universal Credit: further information for families

An overview of what Universal Credit means for families and what they will be expected to do in return.

Documents

Details

This guide provides information about what families need to know if they make a Universal Credit claim.

It includes information about the support available and the steps that you will be expected to take when you make a Universal Credit claim as a family. It covers:

  • how Universal Credit supports families
  • the help available with childcare costs
  • what you will be expected to do in return for receiving Universal Credit

Part of the Universal Credit toolkit for partner organisations.

Updates to this page

Published 28 March 2013
Last updated 187 DecemberApril 2024 + show2025 href="#full-history">+ show all updates

Sign up for emails or print this page

Update history

2025-04-08 11:29
Page updated to reflect tax credits ending on 5 April.

2025-04-07 00:15
From 7 April, the maximum amount you can receive for childcare costs increased to £1,031.88 for one child, and £1,768.94 for 2 or more children.

2024-12-18 10:55
In section 3, Support for children: added that you should report a change in circumstances straight away if your child changes their course or training, or finishes or stops their course or training early.

2024-11-19 10:45
Added information about when your work-related activities may be temporarily reduced.

2024-07-09 00:30
If your child is over 16 and in education or training, at the end of July you’ll get a journal message in your online account explaining what you’ll need to do before 31 August.

2024-04-08 00:01
You could receive a maximum childcare payment of £1,014.63 for one child and £1,739.37 for 2 or more children.

2023-10-25 00:01
From 25 October 2023, if you are the lead carer of a child aged between 3 and 12, you will be expected to work up to 30 hours a week, or spend up to 30 hours a week on work related activities.

2023-06-28 00:01
Updated the maximum childcare payment you could receive with Universal Credit from £646.35 to £950.92 a month for one child and from £1,108.04 to £1,630.15 a month for 2 or more children.