Universal Credit: child limit

bonnet

Due to a reduction of family finances, we think we'll be able to claim UC, but the website says we can't claim for more than 2 children (we have 3). Does this mean:

a. we can't claim at all?
b. we can claim for the first 2 but not the 3rd?

Thanks

marliepanda

As far as I am aware if you have 3+ children you currently stay on legacy benefits.

Darksparkle

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility

You cannot claim if you’ve 3 or more children and you’ve not claimed Universal Credit in the last 6 months. You can apply for Child Tax Credit instead.

bonnet

marliepanda wrote: »

As far as I am aware if you have 3+ children you currently stay on legacy benefits.

You say "stay" but we're not currently getting any benefits at all

michaels

bonnet wrote: »

You say "stay" but we're not currently getting any benefits at all

So you need to make a new claim for tax credits and see if you are eligible.

bonnet

Thanks for replies. So option 'a' out of my a and b

poppy12345

bonnet wrote: »

Thanks for replies. So option 'a' out of my a and b

Yes option "a" because you have more than 2 children and you can't claim UC. It will be tax credits, if you're eligible, as already stated.

michaels

bonnet wrote: »

Thanks for replies. So option 'a' out of my a and b

Why can't you claim tax credits?

lemonverbena

From gov.uk:

New claimants with 3 children or more

From 6 April 2017 if you have 3 or more children you won’t be able to apply for Universal Credit unless you have either:
been getting Universal Credit within the previous six month period and are making a reclaim (Universal Credit full service)
are making a new claim as a single person within one month of a previous joint claim ending, because you are no longer a member of a couple (Universal Credit live service)

All other new claimants with 3 or more children will need to apply for Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.

If you’re unemployed you may be able to claim:
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
other benefits, check using the benefits calculator

If you put your details into the Turn to us benefits calculator, it will tell you what benefits you can claim.

sheramber

michaels wrote: »

Why can't you claim tax credits?

Option 'a' is cannot claim UC, not cannot claim tax credits