The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an important update for people moving onto Universal Credit, with a key deadline approaching. The information, released in Parliament, concerns the process of migrating large numbers of people from older benefits to the new system.
Millions Already Moved
More than two million benefit claimants have so far been moved to Universal Credit as part of a major transformation of the British benefits system. This process, known as migration, involves switching people from so-called legacy benefits such as income support and housing benefit to Universal Credit, aiming to simplify the system.
Claimants receive a letter, known as a 'migration notice', telling them to claim by a certain date. They must claim Universal Credit by that date to continue receiving financial support, or they risk losing money.
Official Data and Concerns
Official data shows that between July 2022 and the end of March 2026, 2,353,319 people in 1,822,374 households were sent migration notices. Of these, 1,992,161 people in 1,580,239 households have made a claim to Universal Credit. This indicates that a significant number of people have yet to claim, potentially leading to loss of benefits.
The DWP issued a statement this week after being questioned by an MP about the process, confirming that some people will be exempt from the deadline for now.
Parliamentary Response
Luke Charters, Labour MP for York Outer, asked Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden about steps being taken to support people migrating to Universal Credit. Minister of State Stephen Timms responded, stating that all customers have access to support, including the Move to Universal Credit Helpline and independent Help to Claim support from Citizens Advice.
Timms added: "We also provide eligible customers with Transitional Protection where their Universal Credit entitlement would otherwise be lower than their previous legacy benefit award. We recognise that some groups, including Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) customers, may be more vulnerable. Enhanced support is in place from the point they receive their Migration Notice, including the Enhanced Support Journey with tailored contact and visiting officer support. In addition, we have identified that some customers require a personal or corporate appointee but may not have arrangements in place ahead of the ESA closure date. In such cases, we will exempt these customers from the closure date to ensure they are not disadvantaged. This does not mean ESA will remain in payment indefinitely; a final closure date will be determined in due course."
Upcoming Deadline
The DWP said in April that income-related ESA and certain Housing Benefit claims for working-age people will end on June 30 as part of the final stage of the Universal Credit migration process. That deadline was extended in March to give claimants more time.
What Are Legacy Benefits?
Universal Credit is replacing six legacy benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
Citizens Advice notes: "Most legacy benefits will stop in July 2026. Most people getting legacy benefits should have received a migration notice by now. Contact the DWP if you haven't received a migration notice. The DWP might eventually contact you, but it's a good idea to speak to them as soon as you can to move to Universal Credit without a gap in payments."
For more information, visit the official gov.uk page on migration notices.
