£303.94 for a third child

The Department for Work and Pensions updated its guidance for families on 20 and 21 October. The key rule has applied since 6 April 2026: the old two-child limit has ended, and Universal Credit now calculates a child element for every eligible child.

This article covers England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland operates a separate Universal Credit service.

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How much is added?

Monthly child elements for 2026–27 are:

• £351.88 for a first child born before 6 April 2017;
• £303.94 for a first child born on or after 6 April 2017;
• £303.94 for the second, third and every subsequent child.

These are elements in the overall Universal Credit calculation, not separate payments. With three children, the child elements before other limits would total £959.76 where the eldest was born before 6 April 2017, or £911.82 where all three were born later.

Why might the payment rise by less?

The overall benefit cap still applies. For a couple or lone parent it is £2,110.25 a month in Greater London and £1,835 elsewhere in Great Britain. A family already at the cap may not see the full £303.94 added to the bank payment.

The cap does not apply in every case. Exemptions can apply where combined net earnings are at least £881 a month or where someone in the household receives certain disability or carer benefits.

Which children qualify?

The child must normally live with the claimant. The element can continue until 31 August after the child's 16th birthday. For a young person aged 16 to 19, it may continue while they remain in eligible full-time non-advanced education or approved training, generally until 31 August after their 19th birthday.

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How to check your statement

1. Open the latest monthly statement in your Universal Credit account and find the children section.
2. Count each eligible child. Every one should be reflected in the child element.
3. Check the benefit-cap line. This may explain why the final payment rose by less than £303.94.
4. Check the child's details. Date of birth, residence and education information must be current.
5. Send a journal message if a third or later child is missing. Ask DWP to review the child element following removal of the limit from 6 April 2026 and explain the assessment period used.

How to add a child

Sign in to the Universal Credit account, select “Report a change of circumstances” and add the child's details. Report a birth or a child joining the household promptly: government departments do not always share benefit information automatically.

If you also receive Child Benefit, you may need to report the change separately to HMRC because the two benefits are administered by different departments.

Universal Credit is a public fund for immigration purposes. Anyone whose immigration permission says “no recourse to public funds” should check their status before making a claim.

The £303.94 figure is a monthly calculation element. It is not a guaranteed increase to the bank payment because earnings, deductions and the overall benefit cap can reduce the final award.