The DWP has warned thousands of claimants they have just six months left to complete a move to Universal Credit as their existing benefits are being closed down for good (Image: Shared Content Unit)

DWP issues six-month benefit closure warning to more than a million claimants

People must move to Universal Credit instead before the final deadline

by · Birmingham Live

More than a million benefit claimants are being warned their benefits are coming to an end. The Department for Work and Pensions is urging people to respond to their Migration Notice letters so they can be moved across to Universal Credit.

Six different legacy benefits are coming to an end, including Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits. The tax credits system is being closed down in April 2025 so anyone who hasn't made the changeover by then will see their payments abruptly terminated.

Households receiving one of the Migration Notices have three months from the date on the letter to switch to Universal Credit. The DWP says people would still be able to go on to Universal Credit after that deadline but would lose their right to transitional protection which keeps people's payments at the same level if they are due to get less.

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Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, said: "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."

The DWP said that between July 2022 and June 2024, a total of 1,140,810 individuals were been sent migration notices. Statistics released in August showed that 623,310 people had successfully made a move to Universal Credit, 232,830 were still going through the move, and 284,660 did not claim Universal Credit and had their legacy benefit claims closed.

It added: "Legacy benefits – such as Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance and Income-related Employment and Support Allowance – are being phased out to bring government financial support into one place and, importantly, the majority of people will not be worse off under Universal Credit.

"Anyone who needs support is encouraged to contact DWP for a smooth transition before their deadline. More information can be found at: Move to Universal Credit if you get a Migration Notice letter on GOV.UK."

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