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<p>The policy to provide additional Universal Credit support for a maximum of two
children encourages families who receive benefits to make the same financial decisions
as those families who support themselves solely through work. We recognise that some
claimants are not able to make the same choices about the number of children in their
family and exceptions have been put in place to protect certain groups.</p><p> </p><p>When
moving to Universal Credit under the managed migration process, families’ existing
entitlement will be protected, so long as they remain responsible for the same children
and entitled to benefit. Child Benefit continues to be paid for all children, and,
within Universal Credit the additional element for any disabled children is paid regardless
of the total number of children in the household.</p><p> </p><p>Additional help for
eligible childcare costs are also available for all children. Universal Credit is
more generous in terms of childcare costs with an increased level of support for childcare
costs: from 70 per cent in legacy benefits, to 85 per cent within Universal Credit.
This means that working families claiming Universal Credit can reclaim up to 85 per
cent of their eligible childcare costs each month, up to a maximum of £646.35 for
one child and £1,108.04 for two or more children. Universal Credit childcare costs
can be claimed for one month prior to starting work, to enable a child to settle into
a new routine. In addition, the Flexible Support Fund is also available to help parents
pay childcare deposits or up-front fees.</p>
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