Guidance

Universal Credit and families with more than 2 children: information for stakeholders

Updated 6 April 2020

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Important facts

• Universal Credit no longer pays an additional amount for a third or subsequent child or qualifying young person^{[footnote 1]} (QYP) born on or after 6 April 2017, unless certain exceptions apply.
• From 6 April 2017, the first child premium will only be payable for a household responsible for a child or qualifying young person born before 6 April 2017.
• Claimants will be entitled to an additional amount for at least the number of children or qualifying young persons born before 6 April 2017 who they are responsible for.
• Claimants will still be entitled to additional support in respect of any disabled children, even if they are not getting an additional child amount of Universal Credit for the disabled child.
• Claimants may still be entitled to help with childcare costs for any of their children, even if they do not receive the additional child amount of Universal Credit for all of their children.
• Passported benefits for children will not be affected, for example, free school meals.
• Child Benefit will continue to provide support for families, regardless of the number of children or QYPs in that household.
• To ensure claimants do not miss out on what they are entitled to, they should continue to report the birth of a child and any changes in their circumstances involving children or young people.

From 28 November 2018 claimants will be able to get the child amount for a child who meets the following conditions without it affecting any other amounts they may receive for other children in their household:

• is adopted from local authority care
• is living with the claimant as part of either:
• a formal caring arrangement such as a child arrangement order or special guardianship (or was in such an arrangement until their 16th birthday and has continued living with the claimant) or
• an informal caring arrangement, often known as kinship care (in England) Friends and Family care or Connected Persons care, where it is likely they would otherwise be looked after by a local authority or
• is the child of a child (under 16) who the claimant is responsible for.

From February 2019, Universal Credit will accept new claims from families regardless of how many children they have. For these new claims, Universal Credit will pay an additional amount for 2 children, unless exceptions apply.

About this document

The purpose of this document is to help you in your conversations with clients. There is a natural sequence to the application of this policy:

• start with the claimant’s circumstances, for example, already claiming Universal Credit, has 2 children and is expecting a third
• define the order of their children, and
• consider if an exception applies

We have aimed to provide re-assurance for claimants who are currently getting Universal Credit and may have more than 2 children. We understand that claimant circumstances can be complex and our aim has been to try and cover some of these complexities. This document does not aim to cover every individual claimant circumstance.

Background

This guidance outlines 2 important changes to Universal Credit entitlement, both of which took effect from 6 April 2017:

• removal of the first child premium for those starting a family on or after 6 April 2017. The higher rate of child element for the first child (first child premium), currently £281.25 a month, will only be payable for a household responsible for a child, or QYP born before 6 April 2017.

• providing support for a maximum of 2 children. From April 2017 onwards, claimants will no longer receive the child amount for a third or subsequent child born on or after the 6 April 2017 unless certain exceptions apply.

The exception policy was updated from 28 November 2018. If the claimant is responsible for a child or children through adoption or as part of a non-parental caring arrangement, then they will be able to receive an additional amount for these children. This will not affect any amounts the claimant may be able to get for any other children in their household. They will need to provide documents to support this.

From February 2019, all new claims from families with children, regardless of their date of birth, will need to make a new claim to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit will accept new claims from families regardless of how many children they have. If they’re making a new claim, Universal Credit will pay an additional amount for all children born before 6 April 2017.Households who have been in receipt of support for children or QYPs in Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance in the last 6 months will be protected so that their existing level of entitlement is maintained (as long as they remain entitled and responsible for the same children and QYPs).

The exceptions where we will pay for a third or subsequent child is when the child: 5 - is born as part of a multiple birth e.g. twins, apart from one child in the multiple birth - is likely to have been born as a result of a non-consensual conception, which for this purpose includes rape or where the claimant was in a controlling or coercive relationship with the child’s other biological parent at the time of conception. (for a full definition see Children likely to have been conceived as a result of a non-consensual sexual act (including rape), or at a time when the claimant was subject to ongoing control or coercion by the other parent of the child.

From 28 November 2018, parents and carers of children in the following arrangements will receive a child amount for these children which will not affect any other amounts they get for other children in their household:

• is adopted from local authority care
• is the child of a child (under 16) who the claimant is responsible for

• is living with the claimant as part of either:

• a formal caring arrangement such as a child arrangement order or special guardianship (or was in such an arrangement until their 16th birthday and has continued living with the claimant) or
• an informal caring arrangement, often known as kinship care (in England) Friends and Family care or Connected Persons care, where it is likely they would otherwise be likely to be looked after by a local authority

Advice for claimants

Existing claimants

Claimants who are currently in receipt of Universal Credit, or have been in receipt of Universal Credit within the past 6 months and are making a reclaim will remain on Universal Credit.

Claimants will be entitled to an additional amount for any child or QYP born before 6 April 2017.

Additional children will still be able to join an existing Universal Credit claim. For example, if a single parent claiming Child Tax Credit forms a couple with a single parent already receiving Universal Credit, the Child Tax Credit claimant and their children will be added to the Universal Credit claim. The newly formed household in Universal Credit will be entitled to an additional amount for at least the number of children or QYPs born before 6 April 2017 who they are responsible for. However, they will not be entitled to an additional amount of Universal Credit for a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017, unless an exception applies. This is explained in further detail in the family formation section.

New claimants

Universal Credit will accept new claims from families regardless of how many children they have. If they’re making a new claim, Universal Credit will pay an additional amount for all children born before 6 April 2017.

If they have been getting support for children in Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance in the last 6 months, they will continue to get the child amount for the same number of children, as long as they remain responsible for the same children.

This protection will also be maintained through family formation changes, such as splitting from a partner in a joint claim, or coupling to form a new joint claim.

Exceptions (special circumstances) that applied in a previous award of Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance will continue to apply in the new Universal Credit award, unless the conditions for that exception are no longer met.

If the claimant is entitled to an award of an existing benefit that includes a Severe Disability Premium, or have been entitled to an award of an existing benefit within the last month that included a Severe Disability Premium, and have continued to meet the Severe Disability Premium eligibility conditions, they cannot currently claim Universal Credit. They should, if eligible, claim other benefits or remain on their existing benefits until they are told to claim Universal Credit.

How to ‘order’ children or qualifying young persons where an exception may apply

Claimants entitled to Universal Credit can normally only receive the individual child element for the first and second child who they are responsible for, unless an exception applies.

To determine if a child is the third or later child, the children in a household are ordered by their date of birth if they are natural or step children, or by date of responsibility if they are adopted or in a non-parental arrangement, from the earliest to the latest, using these dates.

Example:

It’s 2020 and the claimant has 3 natural children. The youngest is 3 (born 1 May 2017), the eldest is 12 (born 15 December 2008) and the middle child is 7 (born 30 July 2013). For Universal Credit exception purposes, the order of these children will be – first child aged 12, second child aged 7 and third child aged 3. The claimant will only be entitled to an individual child element for their 12 and 7 year old children, unless the 3 year old child meets one of the exceptions.

Following a change to the policy on 28 November 2018, claimants are able to claim the child element regardless of what order the children joined the household for:

• children adopted from local authority
• children in non-parental caring arrangements (including a child of a child)

These children will not contribute to the 2 child maximum and will not affect what the claimant can receive for other children in their household.

Example:

The claimant has one child born prior to 6 April 2017 and one adopted child, who was adopted in 2015. The claimant then has a new child born January 2019. The claimant will be entitled to the individual child element for all 3 children (the adopted child because of the of the updated exception policy).

If 2 or more children have the same date of birth, there is discretion to order those children only in whichever order produces the greatest entitlement for the claimant.

For examples of how to order children or QYPs, please see Annex A.

Exceptions

If the claimant(s) is responsible for a third or subsequent child and they meet the criteria for an exception listed below (multiple birth or non-consensual conception), the claimant may get the additional child amount of Universal Credit for that child.

Multiple birth

Where the first child of the multiple birth is either the first or second child in the household, we will pay a child amount for all the children born as part of the multiple birth.

Where a third or subsequent child is born as part of a multiple birth, claimants will be able to get the child element for all but one of those children.

In order to qualify for the multiple birth exception the claimant must be responsible for at least 2 children born in a multiple birth to receive an exception for one of them.

The multiple birth exception recognises that families do not plan for a multiple birth, which will present additional burdens and expense. Whilst a family may choose to have one additional child, and bear the cost of that child, they do not generally choose to have a multiple birth.

For example, if the claimant is already receiving additional amounts of Universal Credit for 2 existing children, then has twins, we will pay an extra additional child amount of Universal Credit for one child in the multiple birth (meaning that in total the claimant will be entitled to an amount for 3 out of their 4 children).

For example, the claimant currently has 2 children and is receiving the additional child amounts of Universal Credit for those children. If the claimant then has triplets we will pay the additional child amount of Universal Credit for 2 of the children in that multiple birth (meaning that in total the claimant will be entitled to an amount for 4 out of their 5 children).

For examples and scenarios on multiple birth exception, please see Annex B.

Children adopted from local authority care

Claimants can get an additional child amount of Universal Credit for any child or children if they are adopted from local authority care. The exception will usually apply from the date they become responsible for the adopted child.

This could be the date of formal adoption or the date of placement, depending on when parental responsibility for the child passes to you.

Claimants will need to let us know about any changes as soon as possible and provide us with supporting documents for any adopted child or children who live with them.

The adoption exception will not apply:

• to adoptions from abroad - an overseas or ‘convention’ adoption
• where, immediately prior to that adoption, the claimant or their partner was a parent or step-parent of the adopted child

If the claimant is in the process of adopting a child and an adoption certificate is not available, they will need to provide supporting documents from a registered social worker. This must include the:

• date the child was placed with the claimant
• name of the child
• name of the adoptive parent, and their partner if applicable

For examples and scenarios on adoption exception, please see Annex C.

The exception policy was updated from 28 November 2018. If the claimant is responsible for a child or children through adoption, they may be able to receive an additional amount for these children. This will not affect any amounts the claimant may be able to get for any other children in their household. They will need to provide documents to support this.

Children living in non-parental caring arrangements

Claimants can get an additional child amount of Universal Credit for any child or children if it is likely they would otherwise be looked after by a local authority. The exception will usually apply from the date they become responsible for the cared for child.

This exception will apply to children who are in one of 2 groups:

• children being cared for by friend or family carers as an alternative to being looked after by a local authority - this can be where a formal or informal caring arrangement is in place
• children born to a child who the claimant is also responsible for

The exception policy was updated from 28 November 2018. If the claimant is responsible for a child or children as part of non-parental caring arrangement, they will be able to receive an additional amount for these children. This will not affect any amounts the claimant may be able to get for any other children in their household. They will need to provide documents to support this.

Where the adult composition of the household changes

Where the adult composition of the household changes, any children cared for under a non-parental caring arrangement may need to be re-assessed.

Informal caring arrangements

In the case of informal caring arrangements, the exception will only apply if it is likely that the child would otherwise be looked after by a local authority. The claimant will need to provide supporting documents from a registered social worker. The Support for a child who is informally living with you - IC1 form is required to request this exception.

Formal caring arrangements

Claimants can get additional Universal Credit for a child if they care for them under a formal caring arrangement, for example:

• a Child Arrangements Order
• a Guardianship Order
• a Special Guardianship Order
• you’re appointed as a Guardian (in Scotland)
• a Kinship Care Order (in Scotland)
• a Permanence Order (in Scotland)

The exception also applies if one of these formal arrangements was in place but ended on the child’s 16th birthday, as long as the claimant has continued to be responsible for them since.

The claimant will be asked to provide supporting documents to meet this exception.

This exception will not apply when the claimant (or their partner) is a parent or a ‘step-parent’ of the child.

An additional amount is not payable for a foster child, because foster children are ‘looked after’ by the local authority.

Children who have a child

This exception applies where a child under 16, for whom the claimant is responsible, becomes the parent of a child. The claimant will be eligible for an exception for that new child if they are also within the claimant’s household. This exception will remain in place until the young parent turns 16 and is able to claim Universal Credit on their own.

The exception will cease to apply if the dependant leaves the household, leaving their own child in the care of the claimant. The claimant may be entitled to the friends and family carers exception (in respect of the new child) if they enter into a relevant formal care arrangement, or it can be shown that the child would otherwise be likely to go into care.

For examples and scenarios on friends or family carers exception, please see Annex D.

Children likely to have been conceived as a result of a non-consensual sexual act (including rape), or at a time when the claimant was subject to ongoing control or coercion by the other parent of the child

This exception will apply to third or subsequent children in a household, born on or after 6 April 2017, who are likely to have been conceived as a result of a sexual act to which the claimant did not or could not consent to.

This means that it will apply to a claimant in respect of a child who is likely to have been born as a result of non-consensual conception or conceived around a time when the claimant was subject to ongoing control or coercion by the other parent of the child.

We recognise that the handling of this exception is extremely sensitive. However, it is very important to have this exception in place to support claimants in these circumstances. Care has been taken in delivery of this exception to strike the right balance between ensuring claimants get the support they need in a not overly intrusive manner, whilst at the same time providing the right assurance to Government that the additional support is going to those for whom it is intended.

DWP staff will not question the claimant about the incident other than to take the claim and receive the supporting documents. Any data or information received will be handled in accordance with the documents that DWP already use for holding and using sensitive data.

In order to apply for this exception (for a third or subsequent child) the claimant must not be living with the other biological parent of the child. The claimant will be asked to confirm this.

The claimant can apply for this exception by:

• providing evidence of a conviction for rape or controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship, where this relates to the non-consensual conception of the child, or
• providing evidence of an award made under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in respect of a relevant sexual offence, physical abuse or mental injury, where this relates to the conception of the child, or
• completing the support for a child conceived without your consent form and having a third party professional to fill in part of it. The third party professional will need to confirm to DWP that the claimant has been in contact with them (or another approved professional) and that their circumstances as presented are consistent with those of a person who meets the conditions of the exception.

Note: even where a claimant cannot get all the supporting documents from a third party they should still give the form to their work coach, as this carries a right of appeal.

Claimants will not be placed in the position of having to give details about the circumstances of the conception to DWP officials and the eligibility criteria for the exception can be met without reporting it to the Police, a conviction or any judicial finding.

Process for third party professionals

This applies to the following exceptions:

• non-consensual conception - where a child is likely to be born as a result of non- consensual conception (including rape), or at a time when the claimant was subject to ongoing control or coercion by the other parent of the child
• informal care - where the child or QYP is living with the claimant as part of an informal caring arrangement, where it is likely they would otherwise be looked after by a local authority

These exceptions will use a third party professional model, where the claimant will need to ask a third party to complete a form to confirm that they qualify for the exception.

Note: even where a claimant cannot get confirmation from a third party they should still return the form in for a decision maker’s decision, as this carries a right of appeal.

Non-consensual conception

The claimant will be directed to GOV.UK to download and print the support for a child conceived without your consent form (the form can be provided by DWP staff if the claimant does not have internet access or the ability to download the form), which they will take to their chosen third party professional body or specified charity to be completed. The claimant will then need to return the completed form to their work coach.

The form includes a self-declaration that must be completed by the claimant to confirm that they are not living with the other parent of the child (biological father) and that they believe that their child qualifies for the exception.

See the list of approved third-party professionals

Third-party professionals for this exception include:

• healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses and midwives
• registered social workers
• specific organisations, such as specialist rape charities - for a full list of Approved third party professionals who can complete these forms

See guidance to assist third party professionals to complete the form.

Informal care

The claimant will be directed to GOV.UK to download and print the support for a child who is informally living with you form (the form can be provided by DWP staff if the claimant does not have internet access or the ability to download the form), which they will need to take to a local authority social worker to be completed.

The social worker will need to demonstrate on the form that if the child were not living with the claimant under an informal caring arrangement, it is likely the child would otherwise be looked after by a local authority.

The claimant will then need to return the completed form to DWP.

See guidance to assist social workers in completion of the form.

How to claim an exception

When the claimant tells us about a new child in their household, they will be given information about the exceptions. This will be done by:

• using their Universal Credit online account, or
• calling the helpline.

Universal Credit helpline
Telephone 0800 328 5644
Textphone 0800 328 1344
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Find out about call charges

If the informal care exception is being applied for, the claimant will need to either download the support for a child who is informally living with you form or collect one from their work coach. They will then need to follow the third party professional confirmation process above.

If the non-consensual conception exception is being applied for (and the claimant has no supporting documents e.g. conviction for rape or controlling or coercive behaviour), the claimant will need to either download the support for a child conceived without your consent form or collect one from their work coach. They will then need to follow the third party professional process above.

In all other circumstances, the claimant will need to provide DWP with information to support the exception they are applying for - as outlined in the exceptions section above. New Universal Credit claimants will be given 30 days to provide their supporting documents and existing claimants will be given 14 days if they are adding an additional child to their claim.

The claimant can ask us to reconsider the decision if their claim for an exception is refused. They will need to do this within one month of the date they receive their exception refusal notification.

Additional information

Step-parents and exception run-on

Step-parents

Step-parents will be excluded from entitlement to the exceptions in their own right. In the case of the non-parental caring exception, neither claimant may be a step-parent of the child. This is because a step-parent could have deliberately split from the child’s parent in order to gain an exception for a child who would not have been exempt had the couple not split.

Step-parents are also excluded from claiming the non-consensual conception exception and the multiple birth exception in their own right (they can claim it as part of a joint claim with the child’s parent), because these are about the original (lack of) choice to have the child and therefore are only available to the natural parent(s).

Similarly, the adoption exception can only be claimed by the adoptive parent of the child.

Exception run-on

In order to avoid a cash loss, where a step-parent takes responsibility for the children after a joint claim with their parent ends, an exception that was in place in a previous joint claim will continue to be applied to the step-parent in their new single claim whilst they remain responsible for the child in respect of whom it applies. This ‘run- on’ applies to the multiple birth, adoption and non-consensual conception exception.

No continuation is needed in respect of the friend or family carer exception, because the claimant would not be a ‘step-parent’ in that scenario and could continue to claim it in their own right.

The exception run-on will continue to apply until either the step-parent is no longer responsible for the relevant child, or there is a break in their Universal Credit entitlement of over 6 months. This means that, if the step-parent re-partnered with a different person, the run-on would continue in their new joint claim. However, if the step-parent then left that relationship, leaving the child within the sole responsibility of the ex-partner, the exception would stop. This is because the child would now be looked after by a person who is neither a parent nor a step-parent, meaning that the connection to the original reason for paying the exception would be lost. While the exception run-on would stop, the claimant could be entitled to the exception for friend and family carers or adoption in respect of that child, as an alternative, if the relevant conditions were met.

When a child leaves or joins the household

The order of children in a household may change over time, should a child/children or QYPs join or leave the household. Each time this happens the order of the children and QYPs in the household needs to be reassessed.

Example, the second child could leave the household because they leave full time non-advanced education or move to live with another person. A third child (that no additional child amount of Universal Credit was previously being paid for) would become the second child (for Universal Credit child ‘ordering’ purposes) and the additional child amount of Universal Credit would then be paid for that child.

When a new child or QYP joins an existing claim, the order of children in the household may change. At that point it may become necessary to identify whether any of the children now fall within an exception. For example, if a child’s parents are separated and the child has been living with their father, they then decided they want to live with their mother, the ordering of the children in the mother’s household would need to be re-visited.

The exception policy was updated from 28 November 2018. If the claimant is responsible for a child or children through adoption or as part of a non-parental caring arrangement then they will be able to receive an additional amount for these children. This will not affect any amounts the claimant may be able to get for any other children in their household as they will be discounted when ordering the children. They will need to provide documents to support this.

Bereavement

If a child dies, the Universal Credit bereavement run-on will apply. This means that the award is calculated as though the child had not died for the assessment period in which the death occurs, and for the following two assessment periods. If applicable, the additional child amount of Universal Credit would continue to be paid in respect of the deceased child for that period.

If the first or second child in a 3 child family died, the third child would become the second child in the household, but only at the end of the bereavement run-on period.

Family formation

This is where 2 claimants join together to form a new family. The 2 single people who form a couple while claiming Universal Credit will be treated in the same way as they would if they had formed a couple before they claimed. They will be entitled to an additional amount for at least the number of children or QYPs born before 6 April 2017 who they are responsible for. However, they will not be entitled to an additional amount of Universal Credit for a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017, unless an exception applies, even if the additional amount was previously paid for this child in a previous single person claim.

For example, where a single Universal Credit claimant who is receiving the additional child amount of Universal Credit for 2 children born before 6 April 2017 forms a couple with a new Universal Credit claimant who has 2 children, born on or after 6 April 2017, the newly formed household will receive support for a maximum of 2 children in total (unless exceptions apply) - in the same way as an established family with 4 children who make a new claim would be. If all 4 children were born before 6 April 2017, the newly formed household will receive additional child amounts of Universal Credit for all 4 children.

2 child maximum and Housing Benefit

For guidance on the implications of the 2 child maximum on Housing Benefit please see the specific Housing Benefit Guidance.

Annex A – examples of how to order children or QYPs

Example	How to order
The claimant is a natural parent or step-parent of the children/QYPs.	Order the children or QYPs by their date of birth - starting with the eldest.
Due to multiple birth or group adoption, the children have the same date of birth, or the same date the claimant became responsible for them.	Order the children in the order which gives the greatest entitlement to Universal Credit.
Claimant has three children: parent of 6 month old, parent of 7 year old and there is a 10 year old which joined the household 6 years ago under a non-parental caring arrangement, but who would not otherwise be in care.	The order of the children would be: * child 1 the 7 year old * child 2 the 10 year old (6 years in household) * child 3 the 6 month old The 10 year old does not qualify for the non-parental care exception and therefore, the 6 month old would not receive the additional Universal Credit amount (unless they qualified for an exception in their own right)

Annex B – examples on multiple birth exception

Example	Outcome
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit. They have 3 children all born on or before 6 April 2017. They have twins born after 6 April.	Continue to pay for the first 3 children and one of the two twins - the claimant would expect to have one child in pregnancy so will not be paid for that child. The additional child amount of Universal Credit will be paid for 4 children in total.
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit but with no children. They have twins born after 6 April 2017.	We will pay the additional child amount of Universal Credit for up to 2 children. The additional child amount of Universal Credit will be paid for both children (twins) – as the first and second children in the household.
The claimant already has a claim for Universal Credit with 3 children born before 6 April 2017. They have twins born after 6 April.	We will pay the additional child amount for 4 of the 5 children - the 3 born before 6 April 2017 and one of the twins born on or after 6 April 2017.

Annex C – examples on adoption from local authority exception

Example	Outcome
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit for 3 children all born prior to 6 April 2017 and adopts a further child from local authority care.	The additional child amount of Universal Credit will be paid for all children because the adoption exception applies.
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit for 2 children – one natural and one adopted. They have a third child (natural) born after 6 April 2017.	They’ll be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for all children because the adoption exception applies.
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit for 3 children – 2 natural and one adopted. They have a third child (natural) born after 6 April 2017.	They will still be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for the 3 original children on the claim (2 natural and one adopted). They will not be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for the new child born after 6 April 2017 unless an exception applies.
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit for 2 children – both are adopted. Claimant then has 2 more natural children.	They’ll be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for all 4 children because the adopted children are disregarded when ordering the children in the household.

Annex D - examples on non-parental caring arrangement exception

*In these examples, where we refer to a child being cared for in a family or friend carer arrangement we are assuming that either the informal care form, or the formal caring agreements are provided. This also includes the situation where a child (under 16) for which the claimant is responsible becomes the parent of a child.

Example	Outcome
Claimant was already in receipt of Universal Credit before 6 April 2017 with more than 2 children (one is being cared for as family/friend carer). All children were born before 6 April 2017.	The additional child amount of Universal Credit will be paid for all children because they were all born before 6 April 2017 (and also the non-parental caring exception applies).
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit with more than 2 children. Claimant starts caring for a child as a family/friend carer after 6 April 2017 – and that child was born before 6 April 2017.	Existing additional child amount of Universal Credit paid for all children on the existing claim. Claimant will also be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for new child because they were all born before 6 April 2017 (and also the non-parental caring exception applies).
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit for 2 children – one natural and one as a family/friend carer. Claimant expecting their second child (natural).	They will be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for all children because the non-parental cared for child is disregarded when ordering the children.
New claim for Universal Credit. They have 3 children – 2 natural and one as a family/friend carer.	They will be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for all children because the non-parental cared for child is disregarded when ordering the children.
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit. They already have 2 children – both are in a family or friend carer arrangement. Claimant has 2 more children of their own, both born after 6 April 2017.	They will be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for all children because the non-parental cared for children are disregarded when ordering the children.
Claimant is already in receipt of Universal Credit for 2 children – one natural and one in a family or friend carer arrangement. The claimant then becomes responsible for another child under a family or friend carer arrangement.	They’ll be paid the additional child amount of Universal Credit for all children because the non-parental caring exception applies.

Definitions

Definition of a Qualifying Young Person (QYP)

A Qualifying Young Person is someone aged 16-19 who is in education or training. In more detail:

Aged over 16 in any of the following situations:

• from his / her 16th birthday until 31 August following that birthday, whether or not they are in full time education

• up to 31 August following their 19th birthday if they are enrolled in, or accepted for approved training or a course of education which is:

  – non-advanced education and which is
  – provided at a school or college or provided elsewhere but approved by the SoS and
  – where the average time spent during term-time in tuition, practical work, supervised study or taking exams (minus meal breaks or unsupervised study) exceeds 12 hours a week or
  – approved training

Where the QYP is aged 19, they must have started, or been enrolled on or accepted on the education or training before reaching that age.

What is non-consensual conception?

It means conception that results from an act to which the claimant did not agree by choice, or did not have the freedom or capacity to agree by choice. This can be where the claimant was raped (whether by a partner, someone they knew, or a stranger). It can also include circumstances in which at or around the time of conception the claimant was subject to repeated or continuous controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.

What is controlling or coercive behaviour?

Controlling or coercive behaviour is a type of domestic abuse or violence. Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim.

Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.

Controlling or coercive behaviours might include (this is not an exhaustive list):

• isolating a person from their friends and family
• depriving them of their basic needs
• monitoring their time
• monitoring a person via online communication tools or using spyware
• taking control over aspects of their everyday life, such as where they can go, who they can see, what to wear and when they can sleep
• depriving them of access to support services, such as specialist support or medical service
• repeatedly putting them down such as telling them they are worthless
• enforcing rules and activity which humiliate, degrade or dehumanise the victim
• forcing the victim to take part in criminal activity such as shoplifting, neglect or abuse of children to encourage self-blame and prevent disclosure to authorities 22
• financial abuse including control of finances, such as only allowing a person a punitive allowance
• threats to hurt or kill
• threats to a child
• threats to reveal or publish private information (e.g. threatening to ‘out’ someone
• assault
• criminal damage (such as destruction of household goods)
• rape
• preventing a person from having access to transport or from working

1. For more information on ‘qualifying young person’ (QYP) please see the definitions section of this guide. ↩