The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed plans to resume moving claimants currently on six legacy benefits over to Universal Credit from this month.
The managed migration is set to restart on Monday, May 9 following a pause to the process during the coronavirus pandemic when DWP staff were focused on supporting the surge of new claimants applying for Universal Credit.
The move for all legacy benefit claimants will be completed by the end of 2024 and is happening because the DWP says the “six benefits being replaced all have complex and inefficient systems based on ageing, inflexible IT”.
It added that Universal Credit uses a modern, digital system which stood up to the test of Covid-19 where it quickly ensured three million new claimants were protected from the financial impact of the pandemic.
Universal Credit also provides claimants with one-to-one individually tailored support to help them into employment or to further their career, and people with a health condition or disability who cannot work could receive almost £350 a month on top of the Universal Credit standard allowance.
Legacy benefit claimants will gradually be notified of when they will be asked to move to Universal Credit so as to complete the process by 2024.
Legacy benefits moving to Universal Credit
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
Everyone moving over from legacy benefits will have their entitlement to Universal Credit assessed against their current claims, with top up payments available for eligible claimants whose entitlement would have been reduced because of the change - ensuring they receive the same entitlement as on a legacy system.
These will continue unless their circumstances alter.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said: “Over five million people are already supported by Universal Credit. It is a dynamic system which adjusts as people earn more or indeed less, and simplifies our safety net for those who cannot work.
“Parliament voted to end the complex web of six legacy benefits in 2012, and as this work approaches its conclusion we are fully transitioning to a modern benefit, suited to the 21st century.”
Although notifications will be gradually sent out across the country, people who are currently claiming legacy benefits do not have to wait to be moved to Universal Credit.
The DWP says anyone who thinks they will be better off can move straight away.
Claimants can check their entitlement for Universal Credit using an independent benefits calculator - find out more about these here.
However, the DWP also warns that people who are unsure whether they would be better off should wait to be moved as the transitional protection top-up payments only apply to claimants moved by DWP - and people cannot reclaim their old benefits after switching to Universal Credit.
Claimants can also use the separate Help to Claim service for support - find out more about this here.
A dedicated helpline - signposted on the notice claimants receive - will provide support to make their Universal Credit claim, and guidance will also be available online.
The DWP said those in need of further support can also visit their local jobcentre.
Claimants moving to Universal Credit will receive a two-week run-on of their Income Support, Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance.
Those moving from Housing Benefit will receive a two-week Transition to Universal Credit Housing Payment.
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