DWP benefit claimants warned they will join 280,000 who have lost payments if they don't act

Claimants of a number of DWP benefits have been warned they could lose their payments if they make the same mistake as almost 280,000 others. Huge numbers of people have seen their payments stopped because they did not act in time.

People on certain benefits are gradually being moved over to Universal Credit (UC). Many people may think this process is automatic - but it is not.

They will have to apply themselves for UC. They need to do this within three months of receiving their migration notice letter from the DWP. It's part of a huge overhaul of the welfare system.

READ MORE: People on Universal Credit to get £84 extra paid into bank accounts

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People on various benefits should have been sent migration notices during September. These include: tax credits (for state pensioners), income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) only and ESA with Housing Benefit.

A migration notice lets someone know their current benefit is ending and they need to sign up for UC. This should ensure a smooth transition process and no disruption to payments. It needs to be done within three months, but ideally as soon as possible.

Recent figures revealed a huge 277,750 out of 810,230 notices sent between July 2022 and February 2024 were not been completed in time - around a third. It means they missed the deadline for UC and would likely have had their payments stopped.

They would then have had to go about trying to get their payments restarted. Campaigners have raised concerns thousands have fallen off the benefit roll permanently as a result of the changes.

Sir Stephen Timms, minister for social security and disability, said recently: "Having three months to make a move may feel like a long time but life can often distract you elsewhere. For the best chance to secure your benefit entitlement don’t delay with responding to your migration notice.

"We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and customers will have the full support of DWP staff to help manage this change."