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.

• From: Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 6 April 2017
• Last updated: 6 April 2020 — See all updates

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

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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

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

1. 6 April 2020

   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. 1 March 2019

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

3. 1 February 2019

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

4. 22 January 2019

   Updated the guide to correct some drafting errors.

5. 28 November 2018

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

6. 27 September 2018

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

7. 29 November 2017

   Updated guide with new 0800 freephone numbers for Universal Credit.

8. 23 November 2017

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

9. 12 July 2017

   Amended text relating to new claimants.

10. 6 April 2017

    First published.