Guidance

Universal Credit andpayments familiesfor with more than 2 children:children before 6 April 2026: information for stakeholders

This guidance will help you in your conversations with claimants who may be affected by the Universal Credit 2 child policy. policy before April 2026.

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
6 April 2017
Last updated
116 DecemberApril 20252026 — See all updates

Documents

Universal Credit andpayments familiesfor with more than 2 children:children before 6 April 2026: information for stakeholders

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Details

UniversalBefore Credit6 claimantsApril cannot2026, Universal claimCredit claimants could not claim payment for a third child or anyany subsequent children subsequent children who are born on or after 6 April 2017. Some exceptions applied according to an individual’s circumstances.  

This guidance explains the rules and exceptions willthat apply accordingif toclaimants anhad individual’smore circumstances.than 2 children before April 2026. 

This stakeholder guidance covers the following topics:topics: 

  • policy backgroundbackground 
  • advice for existing and new claimantsexceptions 
  • exceptions
  • required evidence for exceptionsexceptions 
  • additionaladditional information, 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

Published 6 April 2017
Last updated 116 DecemberApril 20252026 + show all updates

  1. The 2-child limit ended on 6 April 2026. Universal Credit now pays the extra amount for every child, no matter how many children claimants have. This guidance explains the rules and exceptions that apply if claimants had more than 2 children before April 2026.

  2. The Universal Credit extra amount for children '2-child limit' will end from April 2026. It remains in place until then.

  3. Textphone details removed; Relay UK details added.

  4. Removed out of date PDFs.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.

  5. 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.

  6. Replaced the attachment Universal Credit: detailed guidance on the policy to provide support for a maximum of 2 children.

  7. Updated guidance to reflect that new claims to Universal Credit can now be made by households with more than 2 children.

  8. Updated the guide to correct some drafting errors.

  9. Updated to reflect regulation change for adopted and kinship care children.

  10. Universal Credit live service telephone helpline opening hours changed to 9am to 4pm.

  11. Updated guide with new 0800 freephone numbers for Universal Credit.

  12. Amendment to the date claimants with 3 or more children are able to claim UC.

  13. Amended text relating to new claimants.

  14. First published.

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