Guidance

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

Universal Credit and families with more than 2 children: information for stakeholders

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Details

Universal Credit claimants will 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

Updates to this page

Published 6 April 2017
Last updated 6 April 2020 + show all updates
  1. 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.

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

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

  4. Updated the guide to correct some drafting errors.

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

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

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

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

  9. Amended text relating to new claimants.

  10. First published.

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