Martin Lewis’ MSE team explained that the DWP is currently working to move people claiming the legacy benefits onto Universal Credit with the process being called “Managed Migration”
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) team has told thousands of Brits that they must not ignore “crucial letter” currently landing on doorsteps.
In the recent MSE newsletter, Martin warned that the letter is being sent to those claiming “legacy benefits”. These are older Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits such as Tax Credits, Housing Benefits and Employment Support Allowance (ESA).
The MSE team explained that the DWP is currently working to move people claiming the legacy benefits onto Universal Credit with the process being called “Managed Migration”. Under the process, those claiming will get a letter from the DWP telling them to make a claim for Universal Credit – this letter is called a “Migration Notice”.
Once you receive your migration notice you will have three months to put in a claim for Universal Credit. If you don’t, MSE warns that you could lose your benefit entitlement, so you cannot ignore it. The MSE founder noted that around a third of claimants have had their benefits cut after receiving their letter.
They wrote: “On Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, ESA or similar? Don’t ignore crucial letter – you could lose your benefits. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending letters to many people saying you MUST now apply to switch to Universal Credit. DON’T ignore it – tragically, DWP stats show a third have had benefits cut off after not applying.”
The MSE newsletter also linked to a blog which detailed the change and what you need to do when your DWP letter arrives. You can put in your claim online, or over the phone by calling the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline on 0800 169 0328, or you can also ask your local Job Centre for help with your application.
The MSE website noted that the migration notice will not tell you how much your Universal Credit payments will be if you switch, and you will only know the exact amounts when you apply. However, to help you manage your finances, you can get a “good idea” of how much you could get by using a free online benefits calculator. The three benefit calculators recommended by the DWP include:
Once you have made your claim, you will have to wait five weeks until your first Universal Credit payment and you will continue to receive it going forward – unless your circumstances change
