The two-child limit policy has been in the news a lot recently. We’re working with the University of Plymouth School of Society and Culture and the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research to understand how the policy is affecting families in Plymouth and the surrounding areas.

What is the two-child limit policy?

The two-child limit policy was introduced in April 2017. It means that parents who already have two children won’t receive Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit support for any further children born after April 2017. There are a few exceptions where you can get money for more children – such as if you have multiple births like twins.

If you have more than two children but only receive money for two of them from your benefits, you might have been impacted by the policy. 

Why are we researching the impact of the policy?

We know that more and more residents are finding it difficult to make ends meet in recent years. We want to understand how this policy is impacting people’s ability to manage their household budgets, and the long and short terms effects this could have for their children.

Our research will be used to make policy recommendations to local and national decision-makers to help improve the lives of local families.

How you can get involved

Take part in a short research interview

We’d like to speak to local families who are affected by the policy to understand their experience.

By sharing your story, you will help us to make policy recommendations to local and national decision makers (don’t worry, your information will be kept anonymous so you can’t be recognised).

We’re also offering a shopping voucher as thanks for giving up your time to help with our research, and can help with travel costs.

Sign up to be one of our community researchers

If you’d like to get some experience of working on a research project or are interested in this topic, you can register to become one of our community researchers instead.

You’ll get to complete free community researcher training provided by the University of Plymouth and a shopping voucher as thanks for your help with this project. We can also help with travel costs.