MSE News: Martin explains the 'two-child benefit cap'

MSE_Petar

If you're confused by the 'two-child benefit cap' and what it really means, MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has shared a quick and simple video briefing.

Read the full story:
'Martin Lewis: Confused by the difference between the 'two-child benefit cap' and limits on Child Benefit? An explainer'

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

MSE_James

As ever with this board, please keep any posts on this thread focussed on matters of entitlement and/or questions for clarification arising directly from the linked article / video. This is definitively not the place to discuss the rights and wrongs of policy. We are here to help people navigate policy as it is, rather than as we might wish it to be.

kaMelo

Whilst Martin is not necessarily wrong, his comments on the benefit cap (the maximum amount payable, not the two child cap) applying to 'tax credits' are not as clear as they could be.

 The cap applies if someone qualifies for child tax credits only, but anyone who qualifies for working tax credit, is exempt from the cap.

HillStreetBlues

kaMelo said:

Whilst Martin is not necessarily wrong, his comments on the benefit cap (the maximum amount payable, not the two child cap) applying to 'tax credits' are not as clear as they could be.

 The cap applies if someone qualifies for child tax credits only, but anyone who qualifies for working tax credit, is exempt from the cap.

I agree it's confusing.

BreakingGlass

Someone needs to correct the BBC:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cp38pxm0zjdo   



(I have raised a complaint pointing out their inaccuracy)

HillStreetBlues

If only the BBC fact checked their own articles.
I have found the general standard of BBC reporting has fallen in the last few years.

BreakingGlass

The video was up for over six hours but has now been corrected (video and supporting text), together with an admission that the earlier version was incorrect:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cp38pxm0zjdo

kaMelo

And still is incorrect, or at least incomplete. They make the same mistake as Martin Lewis by referring to 'Tax Credits' being a benefit where the two child cap applies rather than specifying 'Child Tax Credits.' 

HillStreetBlues

kaMelo said:

And still is incorrect, or at least incomplete. They make the same mistake as Martin Lewis by referring to 'Tax Credits' being a benefit where the two child cap applies rather than specifying 'Child Tax Credits.' 

I expect someone at the BBC watched ML to gain their incorrect /incomplete knowledge.