Additional Elements of Universal Credit - Child Element

Your Universal Credit will include a child element if you are responsible for a child or qualifying young person who normally lives with you.

You usually receive a child element of:

• £339 for your first child (born before 6 April 2017)
• £292.81 for your first child (born on or after 6 April 2017)
• £292.81 for any other eligible children

You will not be paid a child element for a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017, unless an exception applies. This is called Two-Child Limit. This limit will end in April 2026, meaning you will be able to get this extra amount for a third or subsequent child.

If you have disabled children

There are two disabled child additions:

• Disabled child addition of £158.76 per month for each child or qualifying young person that is in receipt of:
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
  • Adult Disability Payment (Scotland), or
• Severely disabled child addition of £495.87 per month if your child or qualifying young person who
  • gets the highest rate of the care component of DLA or Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
  • gets the enhanced rate of the daily living for PIP or Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
  • is registered blind.

You can still receive a disabled child addition for a third or subsequent child, even if you cannot get the child element for that child.

If you live in Scotland and get this element, you might also qualify for the Scottish Child Payment.