How much can you get?


You could get a basic amount (the “family element”) and extra “elements” on top of this. However, from 6 April 2017 you only get the family element of CTC if you are responsible for a child or children born before that date. In addition, from this date most people will only get the child element of CTC for up to two children. You can still claim this for more than two children if they were born before 6 April 2017.


The head of the Community section of the Unite general union Liane Groves called the new two-child policy "appalling”. 


“It’s blaming unborn children for what is being perceived as anti-social behaviour in parents,” she said. “Research in the US shows that they have tried a similar policy and it made no difference to birth rates. It won’t have any impact on changing behaviour, but it will punish children with more than one sibling.”


How much you get depends on income and other circumstances for example, if your child is disabled. The basic “family element” is up to £545 a year (see tables below). There is no single limit for income because it depends on your circumstances (and those of your partner).