About Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It is a monthly payment for people of working-age that is gradually replacing the following legacy benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit.
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit have already ended.
If you’re receiving one of the benefits listed above, yes, you will need to move to Universal Credit. This could happen in one of two ways:
Natural migration:
If you have a change of circumstances which affects your benefits, you may have to move to UC under ‘natural migration’.
Managed migration:
The Department for Work and Pensions is also moving people from legacy benefits and Tax Credits through ‘managed migration’. This is happening in stages and will affect different areas at different times. The DWP aim to complete this by 2028.
If this is relevant for you, you will receive a Migration Notice letter explaining you that you need to claim Universal Credit.
What you need to do
If you’ve had a UC Migration Notice letter, please don’t ignore it, as your legacy benefits will stop immediately.
The move to Universal Credit doesn’t happen automatically. You must actively claim Universal Credit within the three-month deadline set out in your letter. If you don't make a claim in time, your legacy benefits will stop immediately, and your Universal Credit won't be backdated.
Transitional protection:
Making your claim within the deadline means you'll be entitled to extra protection. If it looks likely you'd get less on UC than you do on your current benefits, you'll receive an extra payment to make up the difference. This is known as 'transitional protection'.
Benefits that are not being replaced by UC:
There are many benefits that will not be replaced by UC, including: Contributory or ‘New-Style’ Employment and Support Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance and Council Tax Reduction.
- If you had housing benefit in the past, your local council may have paid your housing benefit straight to us to cover your rent. Under Universal Credit, this money is paid to you, and it’s your responsibility to ensure your rent is paid to us.
- The easiest way to do this it to set up a Direct Debit. When you’ve had your first Universal Credit payment and you know what day it will be paid, set up a Direct Debit for your rent payment. That way, as soon as the money comes in, the rent goes straight out again.
- If you are on Universal Credit, you will need to make a separate claim for Council Tax Support.
- Department for Work and Pensions
Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline: 0800 169 0328
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0328 - Help to Claim: 0800 144 8444
Help to Claim, provided by Citizens Advice, offers free, independent and confidential and impartial support to help people claim Universal Credit.