Petition · Department for Work and Pensions
Allow Child Benefit to be backdated to the start of a child’s eligibility
Open for signatures
8 signatures
What the petition asks
Amend the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to remove the strict three-month backdating limit for Child Benefit claims.
Families shouldn’t lose essential Child Benefit due to lack of awareness, illness, or complex rules. Misleading media reporting about a “2 child cap” caused confusion and delayed claims even where children were legally eligible. It’s unjust that statutory support is paid from the application date, not the true eligibility date.
Timeline
| 10 Aug 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
8
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
10 Aug 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 11 Aug 2026.