Universal Credit support for a child who is informally living with you
Form to claim extra Universal Credit for a third or subsequent child who would otherwise likely be looked after by a local council.
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If you get Universal Credit, you could get an extra amount to help support your children if they normally live with you.
Before 6 April 2026, the extra amount for children only applied to your first and second child, unless the children were born before 6 April 2017, or an exception applied.
One of those exceptions applied if a child comes to live with you informally because it is likely they would otherwise be looked after by the local council.
To apply for an extra amount for that child, fill in part 1 of this form and ask a registered social worker to fill in parts 2 and 3.
Use the separate form for Northern Ireland if you live there.
Updates to this page
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The 2-child limit ended on 6 April 2026. Universal Credit now pays the extra amount for every child, no matter how many children you have.
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Removed references to Income Support
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Published updated English and Welsh forms to reflect regulation change for adopted and kinship care children.
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Published updated form and guidance to claim support for a child who is informally living with you and added Welsh language versions.
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First published.