DWP Universal Credit warning issued as major change comes in for one million benefit claimants

A warning has been issued to around a million people on benefits due to a major change involving Universal Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is axing six benefits as it moves claimants across to Universal Credit in a process known as "managed migration". From September 1, households claiming Employment and Support allowance (ESA) and Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) will be asked to switch to Universal Credit.

You can apply for ESA if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work. ESA gives you money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work or need support to get back into work if you’re able to.

• Read More: Full list of DWP benefit claimants who will receive one-off payment before end of this year

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You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed. Meanwhile, you can get New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to help you when you’re looking for work. There’s a maximum amount you can get - but how much you’re entitled to depends on your age, reports BirminghamLive.

As part of the transfer process, eligible households on old legacy benefits are sent "migration notices" in the post, which tell them how to make the move to Universal Credit, which is not automatic. In September, the DWP will begin contacting those claiming ESA and income-based JSA only, asking them to make the switch.

Claimants then have three months to act or risk losing their benefits, the letters stipulate. The managed migration process officially kicked off in November 2022 after a successful pilot in July 2019.