Universal Credit if you have children

If you get Universal Credit, you could get an extra amount to help support your children if they normally live with you.  

Universal Credit now pays the extra amount for every child, no matter how many children you have. 

The rules on the benefit cap stay the same. Additional Universal Credit payments for each child will count towards the benefit cap. This means that if your total benefits go over the benefit cap amounts for your circumstances, the increase in your Universal Credit may be limited.  

Before 6 April 2026, the extra amount for children only applied to your first and second child, unless an exception applied.

To add a child to your Universal Credit claim: 

select ‘Report a change of circumstances’ 

You can get the extra amount for your children until the 31 August after their 16th birthday.  

You may stop getting the extra child amount if, for example, your child:  

You will continue to get payments for a young person aged 16 to 19 in your household if they are either:  

An education course is considered full-time if it involves at least 12 hours a week of lessons and practical work during term time. It does not have to lead to a formal qualification.  

Before your child reached 19, they must have started, been enrolled in, or accepted a place on the education or training.  

You cannot get Universal Credit payments for young people who are on advanced courses. 

The course or training must not be paid for by your child’s employer or included in a job contract, for example an apprenticeship.

Check with your child’s training provider if you’re not sure whether their training is approved.