Families claiming Universal Credit will begin to see bigger payments from next month after a major rule change scrapped the long-standing two-child limit. From April 6, 2026, the restriction on claiming support for more than two children was removed, meaning households can now receive the child element for every child they are responsible for.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that while the change is already in force, most claimants will not see the increase immediately, with higher payments expected to start arriving from May or June. DWP said the timing depends on each claimant’s monthly assessment period, which determines when Universal Credit is calculated and paid.
Previously, most families could only receive the child element of Universal Credit for their first two children, unless they qualified for specific exemptions. This policy, known as the ‘two-child limit’, has now been abolished. As a result, families with three or more children can now receive additional monthly support for each extra child, increasing their overall Universal Credit entitlement.
The change applies across the Universal Credit system, meaning both new and existing claimants can benefit. This means families will now be able to receive an extra £287.92 a month for every additional child who was previously not included in their claim. Over a year, that is worth more than £3,400 per child.
Although the policy change took effect from April 6, payments will only increase after a claimant completes their next full monthly assessment period. DWP guidance states that the exact timing will vary depending on individual payment cycles. There is no need to make a new claim or contact DWP, as the changes should be applied automatically. However, claimants are advised to check their Universal Credit statements to ensure the correct number of children are included in their award.
