£293 Universal Credit Boost Per Child: 5 Key Facts About The 2025/2026 Child Element Changes
The headline figure of a £293 Universal Credit boost per child has captured the attention of millions of UK families, suggesting a major financial uplift in the coming year. However, the truth behind this specific number is tied to two critical and distinct factors: the annual uprating of all benefits and a landmark government policy change set to take effect in the near future. As of December 20, 2025, the figure of £293 is not a new 'boost' on top of existing payments, but rather the highly anticipated *new monthly rate* for the Universal Credit Child Element, which will be extended to more children following a major policy reversal.
This comprehensive guide will break down exactly what the £293 figure represents, detail the new payment rates for the 2025/2026 financial year, and explain the massive impact of the looming two-child limit removal, which is the true source of the "boost" for thousands of larger families.
The Truth Behind the £293 Figure: New Universal Credit Child Element Rate 2025/2026
The widely reported £293 figure is a slight rounding of the official new monthly rate for the Universal Credit Child Element, which will take effect from April 7, 2025. All Universal Credit elements, including the child element, are increased annually in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation figure from the previous September.
For the 2025/2026 financial year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed the benefit uprating, which has resulted in the following new monthly rates for the Child Element:
- Child Element (for children born on or after April 6, 2017, and subsequent children): £292.81 per month
- Child Element (for the first child born before April 6, 2017): £340.54 per month
Therefore, the "£293 boost" is simply the new, inflation-adjusted monthly payment for each eligible child, rising from the previous year's rate. This increase is part of the standard annual benefit uprating and applies to all claimants who receive the Child Element.
The Real Universal Credit Boost: Removing the Two-Child Limit
While the annual uprating provides a modest increase for all claimants, the true "boost" that has generated the headlines is the government's landmark decision to remove the Universal Credit two-child limit. This is the policy change that will provide an extra £292.81 per month for each additional child for thousands of families.
What is the Two-Child Limit?
The two-child limit policy, introduced in April 2017, restricted the Universal Credit Child Element (and the equivalent Child Tax Credit element) to only the first two children in a household. Families were unable to claim the child element for a third or subsequent child, with some exceptions.
When Will the Limit Be Removed?
The UK government announced in November 2025 that the two-child limit will be officially removed from April 2026. This means that from this date, families with three or more children will become eligible to receive the full monthly Child Element for all of their children, including those previously excluded by the cap.
For a family with three children, this change will result in an immediate financial increase of £292.81 per month (based on the 2025/2026 rate) for the third child. For a family with four children, the boost would be double this amount, representing a significant uplift in living standards for some of the UK's poorest households.
Complete Universal Credit Rates Uprating for 2025/2026
To provide complete topical authority, it is important to understand that the Child Element is only one part of the overall Universal Credit payment. All other elements are also increasing from April 2025. This table details the key monthly rates for the 2025/2026 financial year:
Standard Allowance (Monthly)
The Standard Allowance is the basic amount of Universal Credit a claimant receives before any additional elements or deductions are applied.
- Single claimant (under 25): £311.68
- Single claimant (25 or over): £393.42
- Joint claimants (both under 25): £489.23
- Joint claimants (one or both 25 or over): £617.21
Child Elements (Monthly)
These are the new rates for the Child Element, which the £293 figure relates to, effective from April 2025.
- Child Element (first child born before April 6, 2017): £340.54
- Child Element (other children): £292.81
- Disabled Child Addition (Lower Rate): £156.11
- Disabled Child Addition (Higher Rate): £487.68
Work Capability Elements (Monthly)
These elements are for claimants with health conditions or disabilities that affect their ability to work.
- Limited Capability for Work (LCW) Element: £156.11
- Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) Element: £487.68
Implications of the Policy Change and Future Outlook
The removal of the two-child limit in April 2026 is a monumental shift in welfare policy. It directly addresses criticisms that the policy was pushing larger families into deeper poverty and was inconsistent with the goal of supporting children.
Who Will Benefit Most?
The primary beneficiaries are families with three or more children who were previously excluded from the Child Element for their third and subsequent children. The financial boost is substantial, equating to an annual increase of approximately £3,513.72 for each newly eligible child (based on the 2025/2026 rate of £292.81 x 12 months). This policy reversal is expected to lift tens of thousands of children out of poverty.
The Role of the Benefit Cap
It is crucial for claimants to understand that while the Child Element is increasing and the two-child limit is being removed, the Benefit Cap will still apply. The Benefit Cap limits the total amount of welfare benefits a household can receive. For those living outside Greater London, the cap is currently £2,200 per month for a couple with children, and £1,478 per month for a single parent.
While the Child Element will increase a family's total entitlement, the Benefit Cap may restrict the actual amount they receive. Claimants should check the latest Benefit Cap rates and exemptions, such as those who are working and earning above a certain threshold, or those receiving the LCWRA element.
In summary, the "£293 Universal Credit boost per child" is a simplified reference to the new £292.81 monthly Child Element rate for 2025/2026. The real "boost" is the government's commitment to scrap the two-child limit from April 2026, which will extend this monthly payment to all children in a household, providing a significant financial lifeline to larger families across the UK.
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