DWP paying out 'additional' Universal Credit payment but 'it's not permanent'

Claimants who are being moved onto the benefit from legacy, old-style benefits are doing so in the "managed migration" scheme.

The Department for Work and Pensions has clarified a rule which will see people get a "additional" payment each and every month. Universal Credit claimants who are being moved onto the benefit from legacy, old-style benefits are doing so in the "managed migration" scheme.

As part of the process, some people may be entitled to 'transactional protection', which ensures that anyone moving to Universal Credit will not be worse off under the newer benefit. Transitional protection helps with your move to Universal Credit.

If eligible, this protection means you can get a transitional protection payment added to your Universal Credit entitlement if you receive more from your previous tax credits or benefits and claim Universal Credit and have money, savings and investments over £16,000 for 12 assessment periods, if you receive tax credits.

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It also means you can claim Universal Credit if you’re a full-time student in higher education until you or your partner finish the course. You do not need to apply for transitional protection. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send you a letter called a Migration Notice, asking you to claim Universal Credit.

To be eligible for transitional protection, you must claim Universal Credit by the deadline date on your Migration Notice letter. If you cannot claim Universal Credit by the deadline date, you should contact the Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline as soon as possible.

"We can only give you more time to make a claim if you have a good reason. You must request this before the deadline date on your letter," the DWP said. It said: "Transitional protection payments are an additional amount to help with your move to Universal Credit. The payment will make up the difference if your Universal Credit entitlement is less than your previous tax credits or benefits."

Transitional protection payments are not permanent, it warned.