DWP six-month warning as important letter sent to millions of benefit claimants
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has given an important update to millions of Brits who claim benefits as they are now six months away from losing their benefits
by Ruby Flanagan · ChronicleLiveThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a new six-month warning to Brits on benefits.
From April 2025, Tax Credits will no longer be available, meaning claimants have just half a year remaining to switch to Universal Credit before their current support ends. Claimants will receive a Migration Notice by post when its their turn to move as part of the DWP's "Managed Migration" strategy.
This initiative seeks to transition individuals from old "legacy benefits" to Universal Credit. Benefits being phased out include Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), and Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Starting in September, the DWP began notifying state pensioners receiving Tax Credits, Income-based JSA, ESA, and those with Housing Benefit about the change.
Recipients must apply for Universal Credit within three months of receiving the letter or face termination of their benefits. The DWP, in an update today, cautioned that while three months might seem ample time, unforeseen life events can create delays, possibly leaving claimants in precarious positions, reports the Mirror.
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Therefore, the DWP is advising benefit recipients to take action "straight away".
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has mapped out a timeline stating that all migration notices will be sent to claimants by the end of December 2025. If you are receiving one of the benefits due for change, no immediate action is required until you receive your Migration Notice.
Claims for Universal Credit can be submitted online or via telephone by calling the dedicated helpline on 0800 169 0328, or enquiries can be made at local Job Centres.
Once your claim is lodged, there's a standard wait of five weeks for the initial Universal Credit payment which will then be regularly disbursed - alterations only dictated by any change of circumstances. The DWP is gradually retiring the old-style legacy benefits; as of 2022, around 2.6 million individuals in the UK were still on these older benefits.
From July 2022 up to June 2024, about 1.1 million people received their migration notices.
Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, has remarked, "Having three months to make a move may feel like a long time but life can often distract you elsewhere. For the best chance to secure your benefit entitlement don't delay with responding to your migration notice. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and customers will have the full support of DWP staff to help manage this change."
"Having three months to make a move may feel like a long time but life can often distract you elsewhere. For the best chance to secure your benefit entitlement don't delay with responding to your migration notice. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and customers will have the full support of DWP staff to help manage this change."
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