Universal Credit payments for more than 2 children before 6 April 2026: information for stakeholders

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

Before 6 April 2026, Universal Credit claimants could not claim payment for a third child or any 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 that apply if claimants had more than 2 children before April 2026.

This stakeholder guidance covers the following topics:

• policy background
• exceptions
• required evidence for exceptions
• additional information, including the definition of a qualifying young person

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-families-with-more-than-2-children-information-for-stakeholders