From April 2024 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have started to send migration notices to working-age households, advising them that their legacy benefits are due to stop and inviting households to apply for Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is replacing the following ‘legacy’ benefits:
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing benefit
What does Universal Credit managed migration mean for you?
You and your partner (if you have one) will get a migration notice, which will be inviting you/your partner to apply for Universal Credit by a certain date which will be at least three months and one day after the migration notice.
Apply for Universal Credit as soon as possible to help with your rent and avoid losing money.
To qualify for any transitional protection please apply for universal credit within the timeframe mentioned above.
This is to make sure you do not lose out on the ‘managed migration’ to Universal Credit.
How to apply or get help
- telephone the free helpline: 0800 169 0328
- go online: www.gov.uk
- in person: visit your local jobcentre
- for independent support please contact Citizens Advice ‘help to claim’ service
If you have any questions about the migration process or need more time, you should contact the Universal Credit helpline number on 0800 169 0328.
More information about the managed migration process or to apply for Universal Credit
What happens to your housing benefit
Once we receive your migration notice from Department of Works and Pensions (DWP), your housing benefit will end, either 14 days after the:
- migration deadline date, if you have not applied for Universal Credit
- date you apply for Universal Credit
If you live in 'specified' or 'temporary accommodation'
We will continue to pay your housing benefit if you live in specified or temporary accommodation.
You might have to apply for Universal Credit to switch from any other legacy benefits that are ending soon, which help with your 'living costs'.
Rent payment
Your landlord will no longer receive housing benefit when you apply for Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is paid one month after the end of each assessment period, and it usually covers rent expenses (housing costs).
You need to plan a budget and use the housing costs part of Universal Credit to pay your rent.
If you have trouble managing your money, your landlord can ask for the housing cost part to be paid to them as an ‘alternative payment arrangement’
Payments of Universal Credit
Universal Credit is paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. It will be paid once a month in arrears, and not weekly. If you do not have a bank account, you will need to set one up.
You will not normally be able to have the housing component paid directly to your landlord, so you will be responsible for managing rent payments along with other household bills.
Claims for Universal Credit cannot be backdated except in exceptional circumstances. If you are eligible to apply you need to make your claim straight away.
Council tax reduction
Help with council tax is not included in Universal Credit. You must apply to the council for council tax reduction
If you are already receiving help with your council tax, we will tell you if there is any change in the amount you need to pay when your legacy benefit ends, and you start to receive Universal Credit.
Discretionary Housing Payments
A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is an additional payment available to those receiving Housing Benefit or the housing cost element of Universal Credit.
If you are currently receiving a DHP and are migrating to Universal Credit, your DHP will end when your housing benefit ends.
We will review your DHP when you receive your first payment of Universal Credit, which includes the housing cost element.
The amount of help you receive may change if your financial situation improves on Universal Credit.