The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an urgent warning to people claiming at least one of certain older benefits, including Child Tax Credit and Income Support. Everyone receiving these legacy benefits will be moved to Universal Credit (UC) before December 2024, the UK government has said, and it starts with a migration notice letter.
Anyone who has received a migration notice letter will need to apply for UC within three months of receiving the letter, the DWP has warned. There is no need to switch until this letter is received, but once you have it you'll need to act to continue getting financial help.
Plans to move every benefit claimant to Universal Credit were resumed last year, post-Covid, with the DWP announcing all legacy benefit claimants would be switched to UC by the end of 2024. The process was paused during the pandemic while the DWP processed the sure in new UC claimants, the DWP said.
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So-called legacy benefits include:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
Other benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will stay the same.
To continue receiving financial help after receiving your DWP migration notice letter, you must apply for Universal Credit by the deadline date given in the notice. This is typically three-months from when the letter was given. The DWP advises it can take time to gather the necessary documents and evidence required to make the claim online so recommends claimants act as soon as possible.
If you cannot claim Universal Credit by the deadline date given on your letter, you should contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline as soon as possible. The DWP can only give you more time to make a claim if you have a good reason and the request must be made before your deadline date.
How to claim Universal Credit
You can apply for Universal Credit online. You need to create an account to make a claim. You must complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account or you’ll have to start again.
When you or your partner make a claim to Universal Credit some of your existing benefits will stop. You cannot go back to those benefits because they are ending. If you cannot claim online, you can claim by phone through the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline.
How to claim if you live with a partner
You’ll both need to claim Universal Credit if you live with your partner in the same household and are:
- married to each other
- civil partners of each other
- living together as if you are married
You must make a joint claim for your household, even if your partner is not eligible for Universal Credit. You cannot claim by yourself.
To begin, both of you need to create your own Universal Credit online accounts. The first person to create their account will receive a partner code, which will be displayed on screen.
Your partner will then need to use this code when they create their Universal Credit online account. This ensures the accounts are joined together and you are correctly claiming as a couple. Once you’ve created your account you can make a claim for Universal Credit.
What you’ll need to apply
To apply online you’ll need:
- your bank, building society or credit union account details
- an email address
- access to a phone
You’ll also have to prove your identity. You’ll need some identity documents for this, for example your:
- driving licence
- passport
- debit or credit card
- payslip or P60
To complete your claim you’ll need to provide information about:
- your housing, for example how much rent you pay
- your earnings, for example payslips
- any disability or health condition that affects your work
- how much you pay for childcare if you want help with childcare costs
- your savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out
You might need an appointment with the Universal Credit team if:
- they need more information
- you cannot verify your identity online
You’ll be told if this appointment will be in a jobcentre or on the phone.
You can also get support from the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service.
What you’ll get
On Universal Credit, most people will be entitled to the same amount they received from their previous benefits, or more. If the amount you are entitled to on your existing benefits is more than you’ll get on Universal Credit, a top up is available. This is called transitional protection.
You can only get this top up if you have received a Migration Notice letter from DWP and claim by the deadline date on your letter. If your circumstances change before you make your claim, this may affect the amount you get. You should claim as soon as possible to make sure the amount you are currently entitled to can be protected.
Any transitional protection you receive as part of your Universal Credit claim may stop if you have a change in circumstances once you’ve made your claim.
Your Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you, for example if you:
- have children
- have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
- need help paying your rent
Earnings
If you are working, how much Universal Credit you get will depend on your earnings. This includes income from working full time, part time, employed or self-employed.
Your circumstances are assessed every month. Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for the whole assessment period – not just from the date you report them. How much you can get will depend on your partner’s income and savings, as well as your own.
For more information on migrating to Universal Credit, visit the Gov website.
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