DWP announces £15 million boost for people on Universal Credit or ESA

The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a major Universal Credit update - as it rolls out a £15 MILLION boost. The DWP is rolling out a £15 million funding boost to the Help to Claim scheme which will support thousands of people moving from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

The cash injection will support the free and independent advice delivered by Citizens Advice, in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland, which has supported over one million people making a claim to Universal Credit since the programme launched in 2019.

The additional funding follows an announcement at the Labour Party Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget bringing forward benefit reform with more than 800,000 people on the old ESA benefit moving to Universal Credit by March 2026 instead of 2028.

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Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said: “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.

“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.”

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “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.”