What is managed migration or ‘the move to Universal Credit’?
A big change is currently happening in the benefits system. Certain older benefits (sometimes called ‘legacy benefits’) are being replaced by Universal Credit (UC).
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are gradually contacting people who are still claiming the benefits that are being replaced, to let them know they need to apply for UC.
This process called managed migration or ‘the move to Universal Credit.’
Which benefits are being replaced by Universal Credit?
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
How will I know when to move to UC?
The DWP will send you a letter called a migration notice in the post when it’s time for you to move. It’s really important to look out for this letter.
IMPORTANT: when the DWP contacts you to tell you to move will depend on where you live and what benefits you are on, so you may be asked to migrate to UC at a different time to other people you know. It’s important to move when the DWP tells you to – if you migrate before you need to, you may miss out on support called ‘transitional protection’. Transitional protection is designed to help you with the move to UC – we’ll explain more about this further down the page.
Will I be moved to UC automatically?
You will not be moved to UC automatically. Your old benefits will stop after the deadline in the notice. You will need to follow the instructions in the notice and apply for UC.
What happens if I miss my deadline to apply or if I apply early?
If you don’t apply by the deadline in your migration notice, or if you move before the DWP invites you to move, you will miss out on the support that has been put in place to help you with the move to UC. This support includes:
- Transitional element: this is money to stop you being worse off on UC than on your old benefits. Whether or not you get transitional protection and how much you could get depends on each household’s individual circumstances.
- Capital disregard: savings or capital over £16,000 will not be considered when calculating your eligibility for UC and the amount of UC you can get, for the first 12 months of your claim.
- Student exemption: you can claim UC until the end of your course (most students can’t claim UC)
What should I do if I’ve missed my deadline or I won’t be able to apply before the deadline?
If you won’t be able to apply for UC before the deadline in your migration notice, or if you’ve missed your deadline, it’s really important to contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice Helpline as soon as you can.
I’ve received a letter about managed migration but I’m not sure if it’s my migration notice, how can I check?
This is a good question. The DWP might send you an information letter to let you know about the move to UC before they send you your migration notice, so it’s a good idea to check if you’re unsure, to make sure you apply at the right time. To check if a letter you’ve received from the DWP is your migration, you can contact the UC Migration Notice Helpline or get in touch with our Help to Claim Universal Credit team.
About our Help to Claim team:
Our Help to Claim team offer free, confidential support if you’re making a new Universal Credit claim. This includes providing help if you are moving from your old benefits to UC.
The team can help you to:
- check if you can claim Universal Credit and other benefits
- understand how moving from legacy benefits to UC might affect you, based on your individual circumstances
- understand how to complete the application form
- prepare for your first job centre appointment
- understand what to do if your first payment is incorrect
I’ve received my notice and I’m not sure what to do next, what should I do?
You can get in touch with our Help to Claim team, who will explain what steps you need to take once you’ve received your notice and support you with the process of applying for UC.
What’s different about UC compared to my old benefits?
There are a few key differences to be aware of:
- UC is normally paid in one single monthly payment. If you’ll find it hard to plan your budget because you’re used to fortnightly benefit payments, you can ask the DWP for an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).
- With UC, any help you’re entitled to for housing costs (the ‘housing element’) is usually paid to you as part of your regular payment. However, if you find it difficult to budget, you’ve missed rent payments or your landlord has requested it, you can request an APA so that the DWP pay your housing element directly to your landlord.
- You normally have to apply for UC and manage your claim online. Support is available if you will find this difficult.
I’ve applied for UC. What happens next?
Be aware that it normally takes at least five weeks after applying to receive your first UC payment. If you’re moving from Housing benefit, income-based ESA or JSA or Income support, these should ‘run on’ for a further two weeks after making your UC claim, and you won’t have to pay this back.
I’m not sure how I’ll manage to make ends meet during the 5 week wait. What options do I have?
Give our adviceline a call on 0808 278 7910 (9am – 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am – 4.30pm Friday) or drop in and speak to one of our advisers in your local area. We can help you to explore ways of boosting your income and reducing your outgoings, and provide advice on budgeting.
The DWP do offer an advance payment to help you out during the five weeks, but you’ll have to repay this through deductions from your UC payments. If you think you’ll need financial support while you wait for your first payment, contact us to explore alternative options first, like local grants.
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