Overview
- The two‑child limit was repealed by law in March 2026 and the change came into force on April 6, 2026.
- The Department for Work and Pensions has been automatically updating existing Universal Credit awards through May and June 2026 by assessment period.
- The child element is worth about £3,650 a year per child in 2026/27, which equals roughly £304 a month for each previously excluded child.
- Around 480,000 households could benefit in 2026/27 and about 60% of those households include at least one parent in work; some families will get less because of the overall benefit cap while households with a disabled or seriously ill member are exempt and will receive full entitlement.
- Claimants who do not see updated payments should raise the issue via their Universal Credit online journal or the helpline and can check eligibility with Turn2Us or GOV.UK calculators, as coverage highlights both the policy impact and political debate over increased welfare spending.