DWP paying people on six benefits new 'transitional' payment - but amount varies

Under the managed migration system, the DWP is moving some legacy benefit claimants onto Universal Credit.

The Department for Work and Pensions will pay some claimants "transitional" payments as they go through a major life change. Under the managed migration system, the DWP is moving some legacy benefit claimants onto Universal Credit.

Some individuals transitioning to the unified benefit system may see an increase in their monthly payments or find they qualify for additional financial assistance. However, if your Universal Credit payment is less than your current benefit entitlement, the DWP will makeup the difference through the "transitional element."

It says: "Your Universal Credit entitlement is assessed every month, based on your current circumstances. This is known as an assessment period. When a claim is made and verified, the transitional element is calculated using a Universal Credit amount that’s based on your known circumstances from the day before your claim. This amount is referred to as the ‘indicative Universal Credit award’.

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"At this point, the transitional element is the difference between the indicative Universal Credit award and your previous legacy benefit amount. It aims to protect your benefit entitlement at the point of moving to Universal Credit.

"The indicative Universal Credit award, including the transitional element, is an estimation based on your circumstances the day before you make your Universal Credit claim." The transitional element is calculated using information you give us in your Universal Credit claim and your existing legacy benefits information.

The claim covers details about your circumstances, which includes your employment status, who you live with, your household income, savings and investments and if you have children and any childcare costs, if anyone in your household has a disability or health condition, if you’re a carer and the benefits you get now.

The six affected legacy benefits include: working tax credit, child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, jobseeker's allowance and income-related employment and support allowance.