DWP writing to two million people over Universal Credit 'change'

DWP will write to people affected by the change by the end of December next year, it has said.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The Department for Work and Pensions is issuing an urgent letter to two MILLION people over a Universal Credit change. The DWP will write to people affected by the change by the end of December next year, it has said.

The DWP plans to have contacted everyone affected by the next stage of the so-called "managed migration" process by December 2025. Universal Credit is replacing the following six benefits: Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Housing Benefit.

Three months after you receive the migration notice, your existing benefits will be stopped. People can decide to make the switch before you get the notice from the DWP - if you think you'll be better off on Universal Credit.

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You are advised to do your research before asking to be switched early, however, as you cannot move back to your existing benefits once you've made the move. Applications for Universal Credit can usually be made through the GOV.UK website.

Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit stop as soon as you put in the Universal Credit claim but other benefits carry on for two weeks. If you are not better off on Universal Credit, y ou get monthly transition payments to cover any financial shortfalls you face if you are moved to Universal Credit and are left worse off.

This transitional protection lasts until there is no difference between the amount you get under Universal Credit and what you received before under the old benefits. The transitional payments are only awarded if you are switched by the DWP through the "managed migration" process.

Speak to a benefits advisor if you are not clear about how your payments will be affected, the DWP has also advised benefit claimants up and down the country.