Did you know that from April 2017 the benefits available to families with two or more children has changed?

If you’re already getting benefits for more than 2 children, you will continue to get those benefits.  Eventually, when current legacy benefit claimants move over onto Universal Credit the existing entitlement of families will be protected, as long as they remain responsible for the same children.                                                                     

You won’t be paid an additional amount for more than 2 children born after 6th April 2017, unless special circumstances apply.

What happens if I add a new child to the household?

Claimants will be entitled to an extra amount for any child or qualifying young person born before 6th April 2017.

If you have two children, you won’t typically be affected by the benefits cap for families. However, if you claim Universal Credit, have two children, one born before 6th April 2017 and one born after 6th April 2017, and another child comes to live with you through adoption or a family/friend care arrangement and was born before 6th April 2017, you will be affected by this benefits cap.

If you’ve another child that isn’t living with you when you claim Universal Credit, but then they return to your household, you’ll be entitled to a child amount for them, as long as they were born before 6th April 2017.

If you have a child not living with you return home and they are your third child in your household that was born after 6th April 2017, this child will be moved to the position of 3rd child and you will not get an extra child amount unless an exception applies (to the child born after 6th April 2017).

Passported benefits

You will still be entitled to additional support in respect of any disabled children, regardless of the total number of children in your household.

You may still be entitled to help with childcare costs for any of your children, even if you do not get the extra child amount for all of your children.

Passported benefits, things like free school meals for children will not be affected.

You should continue to report the birth of a child and any changes in your circumstances involving children or young people so that you don’t miss out on what you are entitled to.

Special Circumstances

You may be able to get the extra child amount for a third or subsequent child or qualifying young person you are responsible for born on or after 6th April 2017 (after 6th April for Income Support) if special circumstances apply.

For further information visit GOV.UK.

For further information about the Benefit Cap in general visit GOV.UK dedicated benefit cap website page.