DWP confirmed after the Labour Party Budget on Wednesday that it would be ploughing ahead with its managed migration process.

DWP sends letters to 800,000 people after Budget which could see benefits stop

by · Birmingham Live

Hundreds of thousands of people are being sent letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which could lead to their benefits being stopped. The DWP confirmed after the Labour Party Budget on Wednesday that it would be ploughing ahead with its managed migration process.

People who currently claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are next in line to be moved onto Universal Credit. In Wednesday's Autumn Budget, the chancellor confirmed that letters have already started to be sent to ESA claimants after the new government decided to accelerate the migration process.

When someone receives a notice it means they have three months to apply for UC. If they don't apply within that time their benefits will be stopped. That means claimants would stop receiving their cash in December, just before Christmas, a busy and expensive time for all families.

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Around 800,000 people who get ESA are being sent letters. These are people who need support for medical reasons. Others who get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance are also being sent notices and need to act within three months.

The Government says: "Move to Universal Credit if you get a migration notice letter. As one or more of your benefits will be ending soon, you need to move to Universal Credit. To continue receiving financial support you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline date given in your letter. This is three months from the date the letter was sent out."

The Budget document stated: "Around half of ESA claimants will receive more financial support on UC, while others will receive transitional protection to ensure nobody is worse off at the point at which they move over to UC." People who receive a migration notice have three months from the date on their letter to apply for Universal Credit.

ESA claimants do not need to take action until they receive their migration notice letter from the DWP.