Four specific groups of benefit claimants are set to get a boost after they are moved over to Universal Credit from their existing Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.
The DWP has issued official guidance on how claimants' finances will be impacted if they are among those who are being migrated from their current legacy benefits to Universal Credit.
As reported by Birmingham Live, the latest stage of the migration began this week. The DWP is phasing out the following six benefits, with claimants being moved over to Universal Credit:
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Those affected by the change will receive a Migration Notice in the mail, informing them that their benefits will be ending.
While some claimants will receive more money when migrated over to Universal Credit, others will get the same amount. Those who would otherwise see a reduction in their benefits will see their payments maintained at the same level on a temporary basis under a policy called 'transitional protection'.
The DWP states: "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 will 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."
According to the DWP, the transitional protection will "erode over time". It also revealed that approximately 55 per cent of the 2.6 million people still claiming legacy benefits would get more money on Universal Credit, while around 900,000 would receive less.
The Migration Notice, which is currently being sent to claimants across the UK, informs people that they need to move over to Universal Credit. It will also tell them how this process will work and inform them of any steps they need to take.
Claimants to get a Universal Credit payment boost
The following groups of claimants will see a boost to their benefits when moved over to Universal Credit:
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Support Group who are not in receipt of the Severe Disability Premium
- People who are in work who have been getting Housing Benefit only or Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit
- Those who do not work sufficient hours to claim Working Tax Credit
- People who have not been claiming all of the legacy benefits that they are eligible for
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