Universal Credit - Disabled Child Element

If you claim Universal Credit and your child receives a qualifying disability benefit, you automatically get extra money added to your UC payment:

• Lower rate: £156.11/month - if child receives any rate of DLA/CDP
• Higher rate: £487.58/month - if child receives middle or highest care DLA/CDP, or is severely sight impaired

Benefit: Families with disabled children are exempt from the benefit cap and the two-child limit doesn't apply.

The disabled child element is usually added automatically once your child is awarded DLA/CDP. However:

1. Make sure you update your UC journal when your child's DLA/CDP is awarded
2. Provide the award letter if requested
3. It will be added from the next assessment period

If you're already on UC and your child is awarded DLA/CDP, report this immediately to ensure the element is added.