By 2025, anyone currently on a ‘legacy benefit’ – which is any benefit other than universal credit – will be shifted onto the new system
The government has laid out its plans for the year ahead to transition all benefit payments to the universal credit system. By 2025, anyone currently on a “legacy benefit” – which is any benefit other than universal credit – will be shifted onto the new system.
This process, known as migration, aims to streamline the benefits system. If you’re awaiting details from the government about your benefits claim being transferred and what it means for you, here’s the essential information. A migration notice is an official communication from the government informing you that your benefit payments are set to be transferred to universal credit. Keep an eye out for a letter titled ‘universal credit migration notice’ from the DWP, as suggested by charity and benefit experts Turn2Us.
Those claiming tax credits will receive this letter from the DWP with a HMRC logo, or from the department for communities if you reside in Northern Ireland. This notification is crucial as it informs you that your existing benefits are coming to an end, and you need to apply for universal credit. It also provides instructions on what steps to take and when. It’s vital to adhere to the guidelines in the letter, otherwise, your benefits will cease by the specified deadline. You may receive a leaflet encouraging you to prepare for universal credit – if the letter you receive doesn’t include a deadline, it isn’t your migration notice. Hold off until you receive a proper migration notice before taking any action.
Why am I being migrated to universal credit?
Prior to the introduction of universal credit, individuals claimed various different benefits according to their needs through the DWP.
In 2013, the Conservative government introduced universal credit, stating that consolidating all benefits under one system would simplify the claiming process and make it easier for the government to manage. The goal is that by the end of 2025, all benefits will be consolidated into a single monthly payment.
Each recipient will be eligible for a standard allowance, with additional funds provided based on various ‘elements’. These are broken down into:
- Standard allowance: the basic amount you receive, dependent on your age and whether you have a partner.
- Elements: extra payments you may receive based on your circumstances, such as caring for children, paying for childcare, or having housing costs
- Housing element: if your payment includes help with housing costs, you can choose to have the money paid directly to your landlord or to you
What happens if I miss the deadline?
The typical deadline to claim universal credit is three months from the date you received your migration letter.
If you’re unable to submit your claim for universal credit by the date specified in the letter, Turn2Us suggests that you can request an extension from the DWP. You can reach out to the universal credit migration notice helpline on 0800 169 0328.
However, it’s important to note that extensions can only be granted before your deadline.
Even if you miss your deadline, you can still qualify for transitional protection if you apply for universal credit within a month after the deadline. This end of the month is referred to as the ‘final deadline’.
Transitional protection is designed to ensure that individuals transitioning to universal credit, who are entitled to less money under the new system, will not be financially worse off than they were on legacy benefits.
This protection is only available to those who have received a migration notice and claimed by the deadline date on their letter or those who receive severe disability premium — additional payments to assist with the extra costs of being disabled — in their legacy benefits.
Over time, transitional protection may decrease or cease when there is a change in circumstances. If you submit a claim after the final deadline, you can still apply for universal credit, but you won’t qualify for transitional protection.
What benefits have already been migrated?
This year, anyone receiving these benefits will have been moved to universal credit:
- April 2024: Income support, housing benefit, and tax credits with housing benefit
- June 2024: Households getting only housing benefit, excluding those in temporary or supported accommodation
- July 2024: Households getting employment support allowance with child tax credits
- August 2024: Households getting tax credits and over pension age
- September 2024: Households getting job seekers allowance (income based) with housing benefit, and households getting employment support allowance without child tax credits
What benefits will be migrated?
The following benefits will be transferred over the course of 2025:
- Tax credits: Working tax credit and child tax credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Housing benefit: For working age people, unless you’re in supported or temporary accommodation
By December 2025, everyone on a legacy benefit should have received a migration notice so they can be switched to universal credit.