Yahoo News Housing Benefit claimants warned not to ignore important letter arriving soon
Recipients of Housing Benefit are set to receive an important letter in the coming weeks - and are being told not to ignore it. It comes as major changes in June will impact those who receive the benefit.
It's part of the process to move people on certain benefits over to Universal Credit. Those who get Housing Benefit only are going to be the next to be moved over.
BirminghamLive reports how 'Migration Notice letters' are being sent out to affected people letting them know about the changes. Households have been urged not to ignore these letters as claimants will have to take action and the move to Universal Credit will not be automatic.
The letters will explain how claimants have three months to apply for Universal Credit otherwise they will face disruption to their benefits. So people who get Housing Benefit only should be on the lookout for this important letter over the next few weeks.
Then in July people who get Employment Support Allowance with Child Tax Credits will be contacted followed by Jobseekers Allowance in September. In a recent update, the Government said: "Our plans for 2024/25 are to undertake the issuing of Migration Notices to in scope Working Age benefit households sequentially, starting with Income Support claimants and those claiming Tax Credits with Housing Benefit from April (and) Housing Benefit only claimants from June."
The process of shifting benefit claimants over to Universal Credit has been ongoing for years in a bid to simplify the welfare system. Millions already get Universal Credit, with the final benefit claimants being moved over.
Anyone who is worried or unsure about what is happening and how they will be affected can find support information online at gov.uk or by searching 'move to Universal Credit'.
