Millions to get important DWP letter through door that could stop their benefits

The government has issued a fresh six month warning to millions of Brits who are claiming benefits, as Tax Credits are set to end permanently from April next year

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a six-month warning to millions of Brits on benefits. Tax Credits are set to be phased out by April 2025, which means claimants have only six months to switch to Universal Credit before their current support stops.

As part of the "Managed Migration" scheme, the DWP will notify individuals via a Migration Notice when it's time to change. This move aims to shift those on older "legacy benefits" to Universal Credit, affecting Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, and Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance.

Starting in September, the DWP began alerting those on state pensions, Tax Credits, Income-based JSA, ESA, and ESA with Housing Benefit about the upcoming changes.

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Claimants must apply for Universal Credit within three months of receiving their letter, or they'll face their existing benefits being cut off. The DWP has recently reminded that although three months may seem ample, unforeseen life events can complicate matters, potentially leaving people in a bind.

Therefore, the DWP is advising claimants to act "straight away", as reported by the Mirror. , reports Leicestershire Live.

Everyone receiving a migration notice will get theirs by December 2025, the DWP has confirmed. If you're getting one of the benefits that's being stopped, don't worry, you don't need to do anything until you get your notice.

When you're ready to claim Universal Credit, you can do it online, ring the free helpline on 0800 169 0328, or go to your local Job Centre for help. After you've made your claim, it'll take about five weeks for your first Universal Credit payment, and then you'll get it regularly unless your situation changes.

The DWP has been slowly replacing the old benefits, and as of 2022, 2.6 million people in the UK were still getting the old-style benefits. Between July 2022 and June 2024, about 1.1 million people got migration notices.

Sir Stephen Timms, the 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."