Key changes are being made to the benefits system
The DWP has issued an update about a major benefits change relating to Universal Credit. The group has been sending letters out to certain claimants about the issue.
Millions of people on older benefits being replaced by Universal Credit have gradually been moved over to the new benefit. The process to move people over from these previous payments, known as ‘legacy benefits’, has been going on in stages for several years. The majority of people have now moved over to Universal Credit. The DWP previously confirmed that some benefits would end at the end of March 2026 as part of the project.
People on these six legacy benefits have been moved over as part of the migration scheme:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit.
The DWP was asked for an update on the project and who is left to move over to Universal Credit. A DWP spokesperson said:
“The department has been migrating people from legacy benefits to Universal Credit since 2022 and most have now moved. Help is at hand for those making the move to Universal Credit, including our dedicated helpline, guidance on gov.uk, and the Citizens Advice’s free and independent Help to Claim service.
“All legacy benefit claimants who have received a migration notice continue to receive their legacy benefit up until the point they move over to Universal Credit, or the deadline passes.” These migration notices are letters that go out inviting you to apply for Universal Credit.
You typically need to get in your application for the new benefit within three months, so you can start receiving payments through the benefit. After the deadline, your payments through your old benefit will stop.
The DWP offers an ‘enhanced support journey’ to help more vulnerable claimants on Employment and Support Allowance, and on Income Support, to move over. This can include phone calls and even a home visit to help you fill in your application and move across.
The department has also committed that if you move over and your circumstances remain the same, your benefit entitlement will stay the same when you are on Universal Credit.
