Warning over major Universal Credit changes as households told 'don't delay'

People who claim certain DWP benefits have been sent an urgent warning about major changes in the coming weeks. Several benefits are being scrapped before Christmas to be replaced with Universal Credit (UC).

People who claim these benefits will need to ensure they have applied for UC otherwise they will lose their payments. These households should have been sent migration notices in the post warning them of the need to take action.

In September, migration notices were sent to people on income-based Jobseekers Allowance; Employment and Support Allowance; and Employment and Support Allowance with Housing Benefit. They had three months from when they received the notices to apply for UC - meaning the deadline will pass in December.

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A number of benefits are gradually being phased out in favour of UC. Tens of thousands of people have lost their benefits after failing to meet the three-month deadline, possibly including some who were confused about what they were supposed to do.

Anyone who has had a notice but has not yet applied is being urged to do so immediately to avoid losing payments just before Christmas. The DWP said: "Anyone affected will be sent a migration notice by DWP to apply for Universal Credit as the department continues to transition over a million claimants on legacy benefits to Universal Credit.

"Legacy benefits – such as Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and income-related Employment and Support Allowance – are being phased out to bring Government financial support into one place and, importantly, the majority of people will not be worse off under Universal Credit."

Sir Stephen Timms, minister for social security and disability, added: "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."