Posted on 02 July 2024
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is moving everyone off ‘legacy benefits’, and on to Universal Credit.
If you’re claiming any of the benefits mentioned below then soon you'll have to take action, and switch over to Universal Credit (UC).
These are income-based and/or income related benefits:
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Housing Benefit (HB)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance.
What do I do?
If you receive any of the benefits listed above, look out for your ‘notice of managed migration’. If you’re in in any doubt about moving over to UC then please contact us or seek advice. You’ll receive a letter through the post from the DWP.
On getting this letter, you’ll have three months to act. If you fail to act, your benefits will end.
If your legacy benefit ends for that reason, the DWP will allow you another month to make your UC claim. There’ll be no gaps in your benefits and you may still be eligible for ‘Transitional Protection’. However, we strongly recommend making the transition within the first three months.
The DWP have published a schedule for the types of benefits that will be receiving their letter and when, but the important thing is to look out for yours, and act when you get it. Or you could lose out.
The schedule is:
- April 2024 – Tax Credits and Housing Benefits
- April - June 2024 - Income Support and HB residents
- June 2024 – HB claimants only (unless HB is your only legacy benefit, and you are living in 'specified' or 'temporary accommodation’).
- July 2024 - Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Child Tax Credits (with HB)
- August 2024 – Pensioners with Working Tax Credits/Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits. Also Mixed Aged Couples (a couple where one partner is a pensioner, and the other is under pension age)*
- September 2024 – Job Seekers Allowance
- September 2024/25- All remaining ESA and HB residents (as-well as ESA-only residents).
The DWP plans to have sent out all manage migration notices by the end of 2025.
*Some Mixed Aged Couples age couples are ‘protected’ from the change in the rules, and it’s important to know if you fall in this protected category as you may be able to claim Pension Credit or Pension age Housing Benefit, or both. People over state pension age in receipt of Child Tax Credit only, who aren’t already claiming Pension Credit, will be invited to claim Pension Credit before their Child Tax Credit stops.
Stop, think, and be in the know
There’ll be winners and losers in this transition, so be as informed as you can. Once you’ve received your letter through the post, we can help you work out:
- the best time in that three-month window to move
- how much you’re likely to receive in UC. We’ll also be able to provide tips to ensure your application is assessed correctly from the start
- if you’re entitled to any Transitional Protections, which are measures to protect against loss of income caused by the switch over.
You must look out for your letter from the DWP. But you can get prepared. Check how much you will receive on UC, it might be less than you’re getting now, but it might be more. You can make the switch to UC earlier than when you’re invited, but if you’re due to receive less after the switch over, it’s better to wait for the managed migration notice letter. Our Universal Credit helper tool can help you through the application process.
You’ll also want to consider any known existing debts that could be deducted from your UC award and ensure that you’re receiving all the benefits and extra help that you might need.
When you’ve received your letter, you can contact us on the usual channels and ask to talk about the switch to UC.
If you’re struggling or can’t claim online, you can also contact:
- The Managed Migration Helpline: 0800 169 0328, (calls are free from mobiles or landlines) or
- Citizen Advice Help to Claim Service.
If you’re worried about your finances, we can offer expert advice and support on a range of subjects. We’re here to help.