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The two-child benefit limit has ended, here’s what you need to know
Last updated:
15 May 2026
If you have more than two children and get Universal Credit you can claim an extra amount for your third – or subsequent children. The two-child limit no longer applies.
The two-child limit has been scrapped
If you’re claiming Universal Credit with more than two children you can claim an extra amount for your third or subsequent children. This change came into effect in April 2026.
This means if you previously claimed Universal Credit or make a new claim and are responsible for more than two children, you could be newly entitled to an additional amount under the ‘child element’ of Universal Credit.
What was the two-child limit?
Under the previous system of Universal Credit, you can only get additional amounts for your first two children.
If you had more than two children you could only get an additional amount of £292.81 for your additional children if they were born before 6 April 2017.
You were not able to claim any additional payments for a third or further children born on or after 6 April 2017 unless you have a special circumstances exceptionOpens in a new window
The removal of the two-child limit applies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
All four nations currently had similar policies of a two-child limit. The change has been announced as part of the UK budget and has come into effect for England, Scotland and Wales. The Northern Ireland Executive has also separately accepted its removal.
What is the child element of Universal Credit?
The ‘child element’ is an additional amount of Universal Credit you can claim if you have children who live with you.
You can currently get £351.88 for your first child if they were born before 6 April 2017, or £303.94 for your first child if they were born after 6 April 2017.
You can claim a further £303.94 for your second child.
You can continue to get these extra amounts as long as the children live with you and until their 16th birthday - or their 19th birthday if they are in non-advanced education or training.
Do I have to notify my work coach of the number of children who live with me?
If you already claim Universal Credit your work coach should already be aware of how many children live with you – but you should check that your details are up to date. If you are making a new claim, you will be asked how many children you have and whether they live with you.
Does the benefit cap apply to this extra amount?
Yes. The benefit cap is the maximum amount your household can get in benefits. This means that if you already get the maximum amount your payment will not increase.
You can find out more about how Universal Credit amounts are calculated in our guide How much is Universal Credit?
How this changes for children with disabilities
If you are responsible for a child who has a disability you will get an additional amount for them no matter how many children other you have or when they were born. This amount is called the ‘Disabled Child Element’.
You can also claim the standard ‘child element’ for all your children.
Child Benefit is not restricted to two children
The two-child limit does not apply to Child Benefit, which is a different weekly payment of around £26 for your first child and £17 for subsequent children. Child Benefit is not part of Universal Credit and is not means-tested in the same way. Right now you can claim Child Benefit for any number of children under your care. MoneyHelper has detailed information on How to claim Child Benefit.
