Some benefit claimants will soon be asked to move to Universal Credit
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DWP warning as 60k people to receive crucial letter each month from February

by · Manchester Evening News

Thousands of benefit claimants will be receiving key letters over the coming months. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled a significant financial uplift of £15 million to the Help to Claim initiative.

This will assist over 800,000 individuals transition from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit by March 2026, two years ahead of the original schedule. The additional funding will reinforce free and impartial guidance provided by Citizens Advice, which have aided over a million Universal Credit claimants since 2019.

The DWP anticipates sending out upwards of 60,000 migration notifications to ESA recipients monthly from February 2025 until the year's end. Officials state that the hastened process will integrate more people into a contemporary welfare system, continuously promoting their ability to search for employment.

The boost in funding is announced prior to the release of the Get Britain Working White Paper set to be revealed later this Autumn, reports the Daily Record. Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, commented on the development saying: "This funding boost will support many people as they make the move from old benefits to Universal Credit - ensuring customers feel confident and informed throughout the application process."

He added: "I want to encourage anyone receiving a migration notice over the coming months to act without delay to secure quick access to benefit entitlement.

"The biggest reforms to employment support for a generation will also ensure more people get the help they need to get into work and on at work, by overhauling jobcentres, tackling inactivity with local work, health and skills plans, and delivering a Youth Guarantee."

Help to Claim, a service provided by Citizens Advice, offers support to individuals making a new Universal Credit claim, including those transitioning from a legacy benefit. Their trained advisers provide guidance on the workings of Universal Credit, payment amounts, evidence collection, and application completion.

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, stated: "Over the last five years our specially trained advisers have supported thousands of people across Britain to navigate the move from old benefits to Universal Credit. We make our service as accessible as possible, offering phone, chat and British Sign Language options, so we're there for people as they move over.

"This funding boost is credit to the vital support our advisers provide and means we'll be able to help even more people make their first application." The £240m Get Britain Working White Paper includes funding for the implementation of 'trailblazers' in local areas.

These trailblazers will concentrate on reaching individuals who are typically not engaged with the system, while also ensuring that work and skills support is better integrated with the health service. This will provide people with the comprehensive health and employment support they need to re-enter the workforce and maintain their employment.

The White Paper will further develop:

  • A new jobs and careers service to help get more people into work, and get on in their work, by linking jobseekers with employers, with an increased focus on skills and careers
  • Joined-up work, health and skills plans to tackle economic inactivity and boost employment, led by Mayors and local areas
  • A new Youth Guarantee so that every young person is given the opportunity to earn or learn.

Full details about the transition process from legacy benefits to Universal Credit can be found on GOV.UK here.