The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update confirming that over 361,000 people have yet to make the switch to Universal Credit before the June 30 deadline. Data shows that between July 2022 and the end of March 2026, 2,353,319 individuals from 1,822,374 households received migration notices. Of these, 1,992,161 have submitted claims for Universal Credit, leaving approximately 361,000 who have not yet taken action.
Deadline for Legacy Benefits
Legacy benefits such as income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), certain Housing Benefit claims, tax credits, and Jobseeker’s Allowance will be phased out on June 30. However, some vulnerable claimants will be exempt from this deadline.
Sir Stephen Timms, a minister, stated: "All customers have access to support throughout the process, including the Move to Universal Credit Helpline and independent Help to Claim support provided by Citizens Advice, which offers tailored assistance to help people make and manage their claim." He added: "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 and a final closure date for these customers will be determined in due course."
Financial Implications of Switching
The government assures that on Universal Credit, "most people will be entitled to the same amount they received from their previous benefits, or more." A Universal Credit payment consists of a standard allowance plus extra amounts for those who:
- Have children
- Need help paying rent
- Have a disability or health condition that prevents them from working
Officials explain: "Your Universal Credit amount is calculated based on your circumstances each month. These are called your ‘assessment periods’. This is different to tax credits which were calculated yearly. Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for the whole assessment period, not just from the date you report them."
Factors That Affect Payment Amounts
Circumstances that can influence the amount claimants receive include changes before applying for Universal Credit, changes after making a claim, and if the information held by DWP differs from that known from previous benefits.
