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Original poster

To remind you there is no cap on child benefit

39 replies

TheOneWithUnagi · 22/07/2024 08:03

I see multiple threads believing that there is a 2 child cap on child benefit - there is no limit on the number of children you can claim child benefit for
I also listened to a whole LBC phone in last week where the host advocated the same thing.

The cap relates to the child element of UC and TC only. If you are eligible to claim child benefit for your first 2 children you can claim for any subsequent children as well.

This is from gov.uk

www.gov.uk/child-benefit

"There’s no limit to how many children you can claim for."

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOneWithUnagi · 22/07/2024 09:31

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 22/07/2024 09:01

^ Yep and it doesn't help the debate - UC should be a safety net and could be needed by anyone if circumstances drastically change.
I doubt anyone has a third child to get an extra £16 a week.^

Maybe some do, or did. 12 years ago when DC2 was a baby, the mum of a child in ds's nursery class was having her 5th child and was excited (no irony) about "extra cash for doing nowt but shagging". And there was me working out that we could get by for a few years with 2 in nursery for 3 days a week.

Yes but again we are talking about different things. Child benefit is £16 per week.

That person was probably talking about the child element of UC/tax credits which does have a 2 child cap. I also don't think children should be in poverty as a result of their parents choices but that isn't the purpose of this thread

OP posts:
MouseofCommons · 22/07/2024 09:09

I know. I had to double check I'd not missed a policy change or something.
Child benefit has an earnings threshold, but no limit to children.

StrawberriesandMango · 22/07/2024 09:02

You can also claim childcare for more than 2 children people also don't know this.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 22/07/2024 09:01

^ Yep and it doesn't help the debate - UC should be a safety net and could be needed by anyone if circumstances drastically change.
I doubt anyone has a third child to get an extra £16 a week.^

Maybe some do, or did. 12 years ago when DC2 was a baby, the mum of a child in ds's nursery class was having her 5th child and was excited (no irony) about "extra cash for doing nowt but shagging". And there was me working out that we could get by for a few years with 2 in nursery for 3 days a week.

Tandora · 22/07/2024 08:52

So many people get this wrong and I was given wrong advice. thank god Iooked into it myself and made a claim xx

BumBumCream · 22/07/2024 08:51

I didn’t realise that and I am fairly well informed (although not eligible for child benefit for my 3 children!)

Monkeysatonthewall · 22/07/2024 08:49

I didn't know this until now. That's interesting and definitely totally misinterpreted in the media.

ParadiseLaundry · 22/07/2024 08:46

I've corrected people in real life about this too. It is confusing how it's talked about.

mynameiscalypso · 22/07/2024 08:43

I thought I was relatively clued up but I didn't realise this. Thank you!

x2boys · 22/07/2024 08:42

35965a · 22/07/2024 08:09

So many posts on this on threads get it so wrong, banging on about actual child benefit when they mean universal credit/tax credit cap. I think the government and media need to change how they talk about it. Like ‘universal credit child cap’ or something.

I know I have seen so many posters asking why people would have more children for the added child benefit
Not understanding that tax/ universal credit is significantly more than child benefit.

Original poster
TheOneWithUnagi · 22/07/2024 08:36

35965a · 22/07/2024 08:09

So many posts on this on threads get it so wrong, banging on about actual child benefit when they mean universal credit/tax credit cap. I think the government and media need to change how they talk about it. Like ‘universal credit child cap’ or something.

Yep and it doesn't help the debate - UC should be a safety net and could be needed by anyone if circumstances drastically change.
I doubt anyone has a third child to get an extra £16 a week.

OP posts:
PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 22/07/2024 08:12

Yup! I claim child benefit for all 3 of mine!

FloordrobeIsGoingToGetME · 22/07/2024 08:11

Well I did not know that - thanks OP x

35965a · 22/07/2024 08:09

So many posts on this on threads get it so wrong, banging on about actual child benefit when they mean universal credit/tax credit cap. I think the government and media need to change how they talk about it. Like ‘universal credit child cap’ or something.