The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new Universal Credit campaign aimed at existing Tax Credits customers.
The campaign aims to raise awareness to all new and existing Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit customers that Tax Credits will end in 2024 and how “many” current claimants “could be financially better off on Universal Credit.”
Confirming the new campaign in the latest edition of the Touchbase bulletin, the DWP also encourages people to use independent benefits calculators to check to see if Universal Credit is right for them. These are free, confidential and a good way to find out if you are missing out on any extra financial support.
The DWP said: “The campaign aims to raise awareness that Tax Credits are ending in 2024 and that many Tax Credit customers could be financially better off on Universal Credit.”
The DWP is also urging people to “seek independent advice before they apply” for Universal Credit.
The main reason for this is that once a change in circumstance has been triggered, you cannot move back to Tax Credits as it is part of a group of older style, ‘legacy benefits’ which are gradually being phased out.
The DWP said more information about Universal Credit is being provided directly to Tax Credit customers as part of the renewal process.
A new, dedicated section on the Universal Credit website for Tax Credit customers has also been created to help people make the right decision about making an application.
The website advises: “If you choose to apply sooner, it’s important to get independent advice before you do as you will not be able to go back to Tax Credits or any other benefits that Universal Credit replaces.”
All existing claimants will be moved across by the DWP by 2024.
If your circumstances change, you may need to make a claim for Universal Credit anyway, because the legacy benefits that Universal Credit replaces are no longer open for new claims.
You can check your eligibility for Universal Credit on GOV.UK here.
Find out more about independent benefits calculators here.
Find out more about Tax Credits ending in 2024 on the dedicated Universal Credit section here.
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