DWP confirms full list of people who won't be moved onto Universal Credit

Thousands of households in the UK are being transitioned to Universal Credit amidst a major overhaul of legacy benefits. This process has been accelerated as the Government is aiming to move all claimants across by 2025.

Letters started going out in March, giving people instructions on how to switch and the deadline they needed to take action by. Failure to apply to Universal Credit within that deadline means that your benefit payments will stop abruptly, and you could miss out on transitional protections such as changes to eligibility criteria and payment top-ups.

The DWP has also confirmed that not everyone will be jumping onto Universal Credit. A few will either stick with their current legacy benefits or hop over to Pension Credit instead. Check out the complete roll call of claimants who won't be bundled off to Universal Credit.

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People over state pension age who only receive housing benefit

You will not move to Universal Credit if you only receive Housing Benefit and you, or you and your partner:

• are of state pension age (66 years old or over)

• live in temporary accommodation provided by a council because you were homeless

• live in supported accommodation including refuges, hostels, extra care housing and some sheltered housing

Instead, you will continue to get Housing Benefit.

Those who are on the newer "new style" benefits.

If you're currently receiving only New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA (C) or New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA (C), you won't be asked to switch to Universal Credit. Instead, you'll continue to receive your current benefits.

People of state pension age who receive tax credits

For those of state pension age who are receiving tax credits, you may be asked to transition to either Universal Credit or Pension Credit, depending on your personal circumstances. This also applies if you're part of a mixed-age couple where one partner is above the state pension age.

The DWP will send you a letter detailing which benefit you need to apply for and by when. If you're asked to claim Pension Credit, or are already receiving it, you'll receive a Tax Credit Closure Notice.

If you're directed to claim Universal Credit, you have the option to claim Pension Credit instead, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. However, doing so means you won't receive any transitional protections and you can't switch back to Universal Credit later.

Upon moving to Universal Credit, you may receive a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) notifying you of overpaid tax credits.

Mixed-aged couples on tax credits and housing benefit

Mixed-age couples receiving tax credits and housing benefits have been warned by the DWP that they must apply by the deadline stated in their letter or risk losing both claims immediately.

If you fail to claim Universal Credit when prompted, you should still be able to apply for Housing Benefit, provided your circumstances remain unchanged.

However, you must reapply within three months of your Housing Benefit claim ending or you will lose your entitlement.

The DWP advises seeking guidance from your Local Authority regarding backdating your claim.