The Move to UC is accelerating throughout 2024 and more people in Wiltshire will receive their ‘migration notice’
Universal Credit is replacing 6 benefits called ‘legacy benefits’. These are: - Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Child Tax Credits (CTC)
- Working Tax Credits (WTC)
- Income Support
If you already get one of them, you’ll have to move onto Universal Credit by 2029.
You can stay on them for now - unless:
- you get a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) telling you to claim Universal Credit by a certain date
- your situation changes in certain ways - for example, you might need to claim Universal Credit if you’ve separated from a partner or moved to a different council area
This year (2024) the DWP is writing to more people who receive ‘legacy benefits’ to let them know that they need to claim Universal Credit instead.
If you’ve had a letter from the DWP telling you to claim Universal Credit
If the letter from the DWP gives a deadline for you to claim Universal Credit, it’s a ‘migration notice’. The deadline should be at least 3 months after the date the notice was sent. The letter will explain what you need to do and when. It will also provide information on the help available.
Make sure you read what is in the letter. If it’s telling you to claim Universal Credit, this will not be done automatically, so it’s important to follow the instructions in the letter.
You might get a leaflet telling you to get ready for Universal Credit – if the letter you get doesn't have a deadline on it, it isn't your migration notice. Wait until you get your migration notice.
You can find out more about Moving to Universal Credit from other benefits at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/before-you-apply/moving-to-universal-credit-from-other-benefits/
If you’ve got a migration notice
Once you’ve received your Universal Credit Migration Notice letter, you’ll need to make a claim for Universal Credit. There will be a deadline in your letter when you need to do this by. This will usually be 3 months from the date the letter was sent out.
You will not be moved automatically onto Universal Credit. You will need to make a claim for Universal Credit to continue to get financial support, but try not to worry, your letter will provide all the information you need to make the move to Universal Credit, and there is help available, including from our Help to claim service.
You should claim Universal Credit by the deadline on the letter.
If you claim Universal Credit:
- You’ll usually get one payment each month and you usually have to manage your claim online.
- It will usually take 5 weeks to get your first Universal Credit payment - but it could take longer.
- Your old benefits might stop before your Universal Credit starts. When they stop depends on which benefits you get, and when you claim Universal Credit.
If you do not claim Universal Credit:
- Your old legacy benefits will stop around the time of the deadline (the exact date will depend on which benefits you get).
Find out more about Universal Credit, including what it is, how it is paid and how to make a claim at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/
There is lots of support available to help you with your move, including if you need help with your Universal Credit application or managing your income until you receive your first Universal Credit payment. Visit gov.uk/ucmove for more information, or watch the video below for a guide to the Move to UC.
