DWP benefit claimants warned ’apply within three months’ to ’avoid disruption’ to payments

17 September 2024 , 10:26

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DWP benefit claimants warned ’apply within three months’ to ’avoid disruption’ to payments

The DWP is contacting everyone who is being moved over to Universal Credit in stages - and when it is your turn, you’ll receive a letter in the post known as a ’migration notice’

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit claimants are being urged not to ignore a letter - as your payments could stop.

The DWP is in the middle of moving two million people on older legacy-style benefits over to Universal Credit. People that will be transferred across include those who currently claim benefits such as Income Support, Housing Benefit and Tax Credits - you can find the full list of benefits below. 

The DWP is contacting everyone in stages - and when it is your turn to start claiming Universal Credit, you’ll receive a letter in the post known as a “migration notice”. Once you receive this letter, you’ll then have three months to start claiming Universal Credit - after this time, your existing benefits will stop.

Newham Council posted the following message on X/Twitter, urging people not to ignore this letter: "If you’re receiving benefits like Income Support, Housing Benefit or Tax Credits, you’ll soon need to switch to Universal Credit. @DWPgovuk will send you a letter. Apply to switch within 3 months to avoid disruption. Need help? contact the DWP directly on 0800 169 0328."

The DWP claims 55% of people will get more money on Universal Credit, while 35% will be worse off and the rest will see no change. If you are going to be worse off, the DWP will award you transitional payments to cover any financial shortfall. This transitional protection lasts until there is no difference between the amount awarded under Universal Credit and what you received before under legacy benefits.

But you’ll only receive these top-ups if you’re moved over as part of the "managed migration" process - so when you receive your letter telling you you’re being transferred to Universal Credit. If you move to Universal Credit early, you won’t be entitled to transitional payments. Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits: 

• Working Tax Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income Support

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Housing Benefit

The majority of people will be moved over to Universal Credit by March 2025. Those claiming income-related ESA were originally not scheduled to be moved until 2028 - but the DWP has brought forward these plans to contact these households by December 2025.

Sophia Martinez