Universal Credit (UC) is a payment to help with your living costs. It's paid monthly. You may be able to get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
The following benefits are due to end and, will be replaced by Universal Credit as one single monthly payment:
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
From April 2024, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to some people who receive these benefits to let them know that they need to claim Universal Credit instead. This process is known as Managed Migration.
Other benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), will stay the same.
If you are in temporary accommodation, supported accommodation or of pension age (both the claimant and the partner) you will continue to receive Housing benefit for help with your rent.
The Managed Migration process and what to do if you get a Migration Notice
Migration Notices
If you are claiming any of the benefits listed above, and have not moved to Universal Credit yet, you may shortly receive a letter called a Migration Notice.
This letter will tell you which of your current benefits are due to end and the date you will need to claim Universal Credit by.
What to do if you get a Migration Notice
If you get a Migration Notice, do not ignore it. You must move to Universal Credit within three months of the deadline date stated on your letter to keep getting financial support. The deadline date is normally 3 months from the date the letter was sent.
If your deadline is coming up and you need more time, you can contact the DWP and ask them to extend it. You must ask for this before the original deadline date in your letter. If the DWP agree, they will send you a new deadline. For any enquiries about your Migration Notice please contact the Move to UC helpline on 0800 169 0328.
Transitional protection top-up payments
Transition Protection helps to ensure you will not be significantly worse off claiming Universal Credit than you were when claiming legacy benefits.
It only applies to people moving to Universal credit through the managed migration process.
If there is a difference, Transition Protection provides a ‘top-up’ amount to your Universal Credit. It will be based on the difference between your existing entitlement and your entitlement with Universal Credit.
This means you should get the same amount with Universal Credit as you do today, as long as your circumstances do not change during the migration process.
You will not get Transitional Protection if:
- you move to Universal Credit before you receive your Migration Notice
- you make your claim for Universal Credit after the deadline date in your letter.
We recommend you use one of the approved benefits calculators on GOV.UK before making the move.
Support and more information
If you have received a Migration Notice you can:
- Call the Move to Universal Credit helpline (0800 169 0328) if you have any questions or want to request an extension to your deadline. This number is free to call
- Visit www.gov.uk or Universal Credit if you receive a Migration Notice letter
- Visit your local jobcentre
- Contact the Citizens Advice by visiting their website or calling their Help to Claim line on 0800 144 8444.